
4 O 








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^^,mmm 



sll,S.SfoN ON CLAIMS AGAINST Ml':Xl(-;0, UNDER 
CONGRESS OF MARCTT .T 1S40. 



TUEATY 

BETWEEN 

THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, 

OP FEBRUARY 3, J84ti, 

INXt.UDIN'. 

ARTICLES I. AND V. 

Ml THE UNRATIFIED CONVENTION OF NOVEMBER 20, 184:J : 

CONVENTION 

BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MKXIC'O, Ol'' WHW. il. l'":''J: 

ACT OF CONGRESS 

OF MARCH J, 1849, CREATING A COMMISSION FOR THE ADJUSTMENT Ol' CLAIM 
PURSUANT TO SAID TREATY OF FEBRUARY 2, 1840 : 

RULES AND ORDERS 

ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ArP"'^' '■•,'. kY 
SAID ACT OF CONORESS. 



WASHINGTON : 

J. AND G. 3. GIDEON, PRINTERS. 
1849. 






I 



COMMISSION ON CLAIMS AGAINST MEXICO, UNDER ACT OF 
CONGRESS OF MARCH 3, 1849. 



TREATY 

BETWEEN 

THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO. 

OF FEBRUARY 2, 1848, 

INCLUDIKG 

ARTICLES I. AND V. 

OF THE UNRATIFIED CONVENTION OF NOVEMBER 20, 1843 : 

CONVENTION 

BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO, OF APRIL 11, 1839: 



ACT OF CONGRESS 

OF MARCH 3, 1849, CREATING A COMMISSION FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF CLAIMS, 
PURSUANT TO SAID TREATY OF FEBRUARY 2, 1849 : 



RULES AND ORDERS 

ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED BY 
SAID ACT OF CONGRESS. 



WASHINGTON : 

J. AND G. S. GIDEON, PRINTERS. 
1849, 







COMMISSION ON CLAIMS AGAINST MEXICO, UNDER ACT OP 
MARCH 3, 1849. 



Ordered, That the Secretary of this Board cause to be printed, in pamphlet form, the 
Treaty of February 2, 1848, the Convention of the 11th April, 1839, the First and 
Fifth Articles of the unratified Convention of November 20, 1843, the Act of Congress 
of 3d March, 1849, under which this Board is created, and the Rules and Orders 
heretofore established. And that 500 copies thereof be obtained for the use of claim- 
ants and of the Board. 

Office of said Commission, 

Washington, 23d ^pril, 1849, 



TREATY 



BETWEEN 

THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO. 



Treaty of peace, friendship, limits and settlement, between the United States 
of Amei-ica and the Mexican republic. Dated at Guadalupe Hidalgo, 
February 2, 1848; ratified by the President of the United States, March 
16, 1848; exchanged at Queretaro, May 30, 184:8', proclaimed by the Pre- 
sident of the United States, July 4, 1848. 



In the name of Almighty God : 

The United States of America and 
the United Mexican States, animated 
by a sincere desire to put an end to 
the calamities of the war which un- 
happily exists between the two re- 
publics, and to establish upon a solid 
basis relations of peace and friend- 
ship, which shall confer reciprocal 
benefits upon the citizens of both, 
and assure the concord, harmony and 
mutual confidence wherein the two 
people should live, as good neighbors, 
have for that purpose appointed their 
respective plenipotentiaries, that is 
to say, the President of the United 
States has appointed Nicholas P. 
Trist, a citizen of the United States, 
and the President of Ihe Mexican re- 
public has appointed Don Luis Gon- 
zaga Cuevas, Don Bernardo Couto 
and Don Miguel Atristain, citizens 
of the said republic, who, after a re- 
ciprocal com.munication of their re- 
spective full powers, have, under the 
protection of Almighty God, the 
author of peace, arranged, agreed 
upon, and signed the following 



En el nombre de DiosTodo-Pode- 
roso: 

Los Estados Unidos Mexicanos y 
los Estados Unidos de America, ani- 
mados de un sincero deseo de poner 
termino alas calamidades delaguer- 
ra que desgraciadamente existe entre 
ambas republicas, y de establecer 
sobre bases solidas relaciones de paz 
y buena amistad, que procuren reci- 
procas ventajas a los ciudadanos de 
uno y otropais, j-afianzen la Concor- 
dia, armonia y mutua seguridad en 
que deben vivir, como buenos veci- 
nos, los dos pueblos han nombrado a 
este efecto sus respectivos plenipo- 
tenciarios; a saber, el Presidente de 
la republica Mexicana a Don Bernar- 
do Couto, Don Miguel Atristain, y 
Don Luis Gonzaga Cuevas, ciudada- 
nos de la misma republica; y el Pre- 
sidente de los Estados Unidos de 
America a Don Nicolas P. Trist, ciu- 
dadano de dichos Estados; quienes 
despues de haberse comunicado sus 
plenos poderes, bajo la proteccion 
del Senor Dios Todo Poderoso, autor 
de la paz, han ajustado, convenido, 
y firmado el siguiente 



Treaty of peace, friendship, limits 
and settlement, between the United 
States of America and the Mexican 
rqjublic. 

Article I. 

There shall be firm and universal 
peace between the United States of 
America and the Mexican republic, 
and between their respective coun- 
tries, territories, cities, towns and 
people, without exception of places 
or persons. 

Article ll. 

Immediately upon the signature of 
this treaty, a convention shall be en- 
tered into betv/een a commissioner 
or commissioners appointed by the 
general-in-chief of the forces of the 
United States, and such as may be 
appointed by the Mexican govern- 
ment, to the end that a provisional 
suspension of hostilities shall take 
place, and that, in the places occu- 
pied by the said forces, constitution- 
al order may here-established, as re- 
gards the political, administrative 
and judicial branches, so far as this 
shall be permitted by the circum- 
stances of military occupation. 

Article III. 

Immediately upon the ratification 
of the present treaty hy the govern- 
ment of the United States, orders 
shall be transmitted to the command- 
ers of their land and naval forces, 
requiring the latter (provided this 
treaty shall then have been ratified 
by the government of the Mexican 
republic, and the ratifications ex- 
changed) immediately to desist from 
blockading any Mexican ports; and 
requiring the former (under the same 
condition) tp commence, at the ear- 
liest moment practicable, withdraw- 



Tratado de paz, amidad, limitea y 
arreglo definitivo entre la republica 
Mexicana y los Estados Unidos de 
America. 

Articulo I. 

Habra paz firme y universal entre 
la republica Mexicana y los Estados 
Unidos de America, y entre sus res- 
pectivospaises, territories, ciudades, 
villas, y pueblos, sin escepcion de 
lugares 6 personas. 



Articulo II. 

Luego que se firme el presente 
tratado, habra un convenio entre el 
comisionado u comisionados del go- 
bierno Mexicano, y el 6 los que nom- 
bre el General en gefe delasfuerzas 
de los Estados Unidos, para que ce- 
sen provisionalmente las hostilida- 
des, y se restablezca en los lugares 
ocupados por las mismas fuerzas el 
orden constitucional en lo politico, 
administrativo, y judicial, en cuanto 
lo permitan las circunstancias de 
ocupacion militar. 



Articulo III. 

Luego que este tratado sea ratifi- 
cado por el gobierno de los Estados 
Unidos, se expediran ordenes a sus 
comandantes de tierra y mar previ- 
niendo a estos segundos (siempre que 
el tratado hay a sido yaratificadopor 
el gobierno de la republica Mexicana, 
y cangeadas las ratificaciones) que 
inmediatamente alcen el bloqueo de 
todos los puertos Mexicanos, y man- 
dando a los primeros (bajo la raisma 
condicion) que a la mayor posible 
brevedad comiencen a retirar todas 
las tropas de los Estados Unidos que 



mg all troops of the United States 
then in the interior of the Mexican 
I republic, to the points that shall be 
i selected by common agreement, at 
a distance from the seaports not ex- 
ceeding thirty leagues; and such 
evacuation of the interior of the re- 
public shall be completed with the 
least possible delay; the Mexican 
government hereby binding itself to 
afford every facility in its power for 
rendering the same convenient to 
the troops, on their march and in 
their new positions, and for promot- 
ing a good understanding between 
them and the inhabitants. In like 
manner, orders shall be despatched 
to the persons in charge of the cus- 
tom houses at all ports occupied by 
the forces of the United States, re- 
quiring them (under the same con- 
dition) immediately to deliver pos- 
session of the same to the persons 
authorized by the Mexican govern- 
ment to receive it, together with all 
bonds and evidences of debts for du- 
ties on importations and on exporta- 
tions, not yet fallen due. Moreover, 
a faithful and exact account shall be 
made out, showing the entire amount 
of all duties on imports and on ex- 
ports collected at such custom houses, 
or elsewhere in Mexico, by authori- 
ty of the United States, from and af- 
ter the day of the ratification of this 
treaty by the government of the 
Mexican republic; and also an ac- 
count of the cost of collection; and 
such entire amount, deducting only 
the cost of collection, shall be de- 
livered to the Mexican government, 
at the city of Mexico, within three 
months after the exchange of the ra- 
tifications. 

The evacuation of the capital of 
the Mexi,can republic by the troops 
of the United States, in virtue of the 
above stipulations, shall bo complet- 
ed in one month after the orders 



se halldren entoncea en el interior 
de la republica Mexicana, a puntos 
que se elegiran de comun acuerdo, y 
que no distaran de los puertos mas 
de trienta leguas; esta evacuacion 
del interior de la republica se consu- 
mera con la menor dilacion posible, 
comprometiendose a lavez elgobier- 
no Mexicano a facilitar, cuanto que- 
pa en su arbitrio, la evacuacion de 
las tropas Americanas; a hacer c6- 
modas su marcha y su permanencia 
en los nuevos puntos que se elijan; 
y a promover una buenainteligencia 
entre ellas y los habitantes. Igual- 
mente se libraran ordenes a las per- 
sonas encargadas de las aduanas ma- 
ritimas en todos los puertos ocupa- 
dos por las fuerzas de los Estados 
Unidos, previniendoles (bajo la mis- 
ma condicion) que pongan inmedia- 
tamente en posesion de dichas adu- 
anas a las personas autorizadas por 
el gobierno Mexicano para recibirlas, 
entregandoles al mism.o tiempo todas 
las obligaciones y constancias de deu- 
das pendientes por derechos de im- 
portaciony exportacion, cuyos plazos 
no esten vencidos. Ademas se for- 
mara una cuenta fiel y exacta que 
manifieste el total monto de los dere- 
chos de importacion y exportacion, 
recaudados en las mismas aduanas 
maritimas 6 en cualquieraotro lugar 
de Mexico por autoridad de los 
Estados Unidos desde el dia de la 
ratificacion de este tratado por el 
gobierno de la republica Mexicana; 
y tambien una cuenta de los gastos 
de recaudacion> y la total suma de 
los derechos cobrados, deducidos so- 
lamente los gastos de recaudacion, 
se entregara al gobierno Mexicano 
en la ciudad de Mexico a los tres me- 
ses del cange de las ratificaciones. 

La evacuacion de la capital de la 
republica Mexicana por las tropas de 
los Estados Unidos, en consecuencia 
de lo que queda estipulado, se com- 
pletara al mes de recibirse por el 



there stipulated for shall have been 
received by the commander of said 
troops, or sooner, if possible. 

Article IV. 

Immediately after the exchange of 
ratifications of the present treaty, all 
castles, forts, territories, places, and 
possessions, which have been taken 
or occupied by the forces of the 
United States during the present 
war, within the limits of the Mexi- 
can republic, as about to be estab- 
lished by the following article, shall 
be definitively restored to the said re- 
public, together with all the artillery, 
arms, apparatus of war, munitions, 
and other public property, which 
were in the said castles and forts 
when captured, and which shall re- 
main there at the time when this 
treaty shall be duly ratified by the 
government of the Mexican repub- 
lic. To this end, immediately upon 
the signature of this treaty, orders 
shall be despatched to the American 
officers commanding such castles 
and forts, securing against the re^ 
moval or destruction of any such ar- 
tillery, arms, apparatus of war, muni^ 
tions, or other public property. The 
city of Mexico, within the inner line 
of entr»?nchments surrounding the 
said city, is comprehended in the 
above stipulations, as regards the re- 
storation of artillery, apparatus of 
war, &c. 



The final evacuation of the terri- 
tory of the Mexican republic, by the 
forces of the United States, shall be 
completed in three months from the 
said exchange of ratifications, or 
sooner, if possible ; the Mexican 
government hereby engaging, as in 
the foregoing article, to use all means 
in its power for facilitating such eva- 
niation, and rendering it convenient 



comandante de dichas tropas las 6r- 
denes convenidas en el presents ar- 
ticulo 6 antes si fuere posible. 

Articulo IV. 

Luego que se verifique el cange de 
las ratificaciones del presente trata- 
do, todos los castillos, fortalezas, ter- 
ritorios, lugares, y posesiones que 
hayan tomado u ocupado las fuerzas 
de los Estados Unidos, en la presente 
•guerra, dentro de los limites que por 
el siguiente articulo van a fijarse a 
la republica Mexicana, se devolveran 
definitivamente a la misma republic 
lica, con toda la artilleria, armas, 
aparejos de guerra, municiones, y 
cualquiera otra propiedad publica 
existentes en dichos castillos y forta-- 
lezas, cuando fueron tomados, y que 
se conserve en ellos al tiempo de 
ratificarse por el gobierno de la re- 
publica Mexicana el presente tra-^ 
tado. A este efecto, inmediata- 
mente despues que se firme, se ex-^ 
pediran ordenes a los oficiales Ame- 
ricanos que mandan dichos castillos 
y fortalezas para asegurar toda la ar- 
tilleria, armas, aparejos de guerra, 
municiones, y cualquiera otra propie» 
dad publica, la cual nopodra en ade- 
lante removerse de donde se halla, 
ni destruirse. La ciudad de Mexico 
dentro de la linea interior de atrinche- 
ramientos que la circundan queda 
comprendida en la precedente esti- 
pulacion en lo que toca d la devolu- 
cion de artilleria, aparejos de guer- 
ra, etc. 

La final evacuacion del territorio 
de la republica Mexicana por las 
fuerzas de los Estados Unidos que-- 
dara consumada a los tres meses del 
cange de las ratificaciones, 6 antes 
si fuere posible, comprometiendose 
a la vez el gobierno Mexicano, como 
en el articulo anterior, a usar de to- 
dos los medios que esten en su poder 
para facilitar la tal evacuacion, ha- 



to the troops, and for promoting a 
good understanding between them 
and the inhabitants. 

If, however, the ratification of this 
treaty by both parties should not take 
place in time to allow the embarka- 
tion of the troops of the United States 
to be completed before the com- 
mencement of the sickly season, at 
the Mexican ports on the Gulf of 
Mexico, in such case a friendly ar- 
rangement shall be entered into be- 
tween the General-in-Chief of the 
said troops and the Mexican Govern- 
ment, whereby healthy and other- 
wise suitable places, at a distance 
from the ports not exceeding thirty 
leagues, shall be designated for the 
residence of such troops as may not 
yet have embarked, until the return 
of the healthy season. And the 
space of time here referred to as 
comprehending the sickly season, 
shall be understood to extend from 
the first day of May to the first day 
of November. 

All prisoners of war taken on 
either side, on land or on sea, shall 
be restored as soon as practicable 
after the exchange of ratifications of 
this treaty. It is also agreed, that 
if any Mexicans should now be held 
as captives by any savage tribe with- 
in the limits of the United States, as 
about to be established by the follow- 
ing article, the Government of the 
United States will exact the release 
of such captives, and cause them to 
be restored to their country. 

Article V. 

The boundary line between the 
two republics shall commence in 
the Gulf of Mexico, three leagues 
from land, opposite the mouth of the 
Rio Grande, otherwise called Rio 
Bravo del Norte, or opposite the 
mouth of its deepest branch, if it 
,should have more than one branch 



cerla comoda a las tropas America- 
nas, y promover entre ellas y los 
habitantes una buena intelligencia. 

Sin embargo, si la ratificacion del 
presente tratado por ambas partes no 
tuviera efecto en tiempo que permita 
que el embarque de las tropas de los 
Estados Unidos se complete, antes 
de que comience la estacion malsana 
en los puertos Mexicanos del golfo 
de Mexico ; en tal caso, se hard un 
arreglo amistoso entre el gobierno 
Mexicano y el General-en-Gefe de 
dichas tropas, y por medio de este 
arreglo se senalaran lugares salubres 
y convenientes (que no disten de los 
puertos mas de treinta leguas) para 
que residan en ellos hasta la vuelta 
de la estacion sana las tropas que aun 
no se hayan embarcado. Y queda 
entendido que el espacio de tiempo 
de que aqui se habla, como compren- 
sivo de la estacion malsana, se ex- 
tiende desde el diaprimero de Mayo 
hasta el dia primero de Noviembre. 

Todos los prisioneros de guerra 
tomados en mar 6 tierra por ambas 
partes, se restituiran a la mayor bre- 
vedad posible despues del cange de 
las ratificaciones del presente tratado. 
Queda tambien convenido que si al- 
gunos Mexicanos estuvieren ahora 
cautivos en poder de alguna tribu 
salvage dentro de los limites que por 
el siguiente articulo van a fijarse a 
los Estados Unidos, el gobierno de 
los mismos Estados Unidos exigira su 
libertad y los hara restituir a su pais, 

Articulo V. 

La linea divisoria entre las dos re- 
publicas commenzara en el golfo de 
Mexico, tres leguas fuera de tierra 
frente a la desembocadura del rio 
Grande, llamado por otro nombre rio 
Bravo del Norte, 6 del mas profundo 
de sus brazos, si en la, desemboca- 
dura tuviere varies brazos ; correra 



8 



emptying directly into the sea ; from 
thence up the middle of that river, 
following the deepest channel, where 
it has more than one, to the point 
where it strikes the southern bound- 
ary of New Mexico ; thence west- 
wardly, along the whole southern 
boundary of New Mexico (which 
runs north of the town called Paso) 
to its western termination ; thence 
northward, along the western line of 
New Mexico, until it intersects the 
first branch of the river Gila ; (or if 
it should not intersect any branch of 
that river, then to the point on the 
said line nearest to such branch, and 
thence in a direct line to the same;) 
thence down the middle of the said 
branch and of the said river, until it 
empties int j the Rio Colorado; thence 
across the Rio Colorado, following 
the division line between Upper and 
Lower California, to the Pacific 
ocean. 



The southern and western limits 
of New Mexico, mentioned in this 
article, are those laid down in the 
map, entitled "Map of the United 
Mexican States, as organized and de- 
fined by various acts of the Congress 
of said republic, and constructed ac- 
cording to the best authorities. Re- 
vised edition. Published at JVew 
York, in 1847, by J. Disturiiell.''^ 
Of which map a copy is added to 
this treaty, bearing the signatures 
and seals of the undersigned pleni- 
potentiaries. And, in order to pre- 
clude all difficulty in tracing upon 
the ground the limit separating Up- 
per from Lower Califoinia, it is 
agreed that the said limit shall con- 
sist of a straight line drawn from the 
middle of the Rio Gila, where it 
unites with the Colorado, to a point . 
on the coast of the Pacific ocean dis- 
tant one marine league due south of 
the southernmost point of the port of 



por mitad de dicho rio, slguiendo el 
canal mas profundo, donde tenga mas 
de un canal, hasta el punto en que 
dicho rio corta el lindero meridional 
de Nuevo Mexico ; continuara luego 
hacia occidente por todo este lindero 
meridional (que corre al norte del 
pueblo llamado Paso) hasta su ter- 
mino por el lado de occidente ; desde 
alii subira la linea divisoria hacia el 
norte por el lindero occidental de 
Nuevo Mexico, hasta donde este lin- 
dero esta cortado por el primer brazo 
del rio Gili ; (y si no esta cortado 
por ningun brazo del rio Gila, en- 
tonces hasta el punto del mismo lin- 
dero occidental mas cercano al tal 
brazo, y de alli en una linea recta al 
mismo brazo;) conlinuaia despues 
por mitad de este brazo y del Rio 
Gila hasta su confluencia con el Rio 
Colorado ; y desde la confluencia de 
ambos rios la linea divisoria, cortan- 
do el Colorado, seguira el limite que 
separa la Alta de la Baja California 
hasta el mar Pacifico. 

Los linderos meridional y occiden- 
tal de Nuevo Mexico, de que habla 
este articulo, son los que se marcan 
en la carta titulada : " Mapa de los 
Estados Unidos de Mexico segun la 
organizado y definido por las varias 
actus del Congreso de dicha republica, 
y construido por las mejores autori- 
dades. Edicion revisada que publico en 
JViieva Fo/7i- e?2. 1847, /. Disturnell;'*'' 
de la cual se agrega un ejemplar al 
presente tratado, firmado y sellado 
por los plenipotenciarios infrascrip- 
tos. Y para evitar toda dificultad al 
trazar sobre la tierra el limite que 
separa la Alta de la Baja California, 
queda convenido que dicho limite 
consistira en una linea recta tirada 
desde la mitad del rio Gila en el 
punto donde se une con el Colorado, 
hasta un punto en la costa del mar 
Pacifico, distante una legua marina 
al sur del punto mas meridional del 
puerto de San Diego, segun este 



San Diego, according to the plan of 
said port made in the year 1782 by 
Don Juan Pantoja, second sailing- 
master of the Spanish fleet, and pub- 
lished at Madrid in the year 1802, 
in the Atlas to the voyage of the 
schooners Sutil and Mexicana, of 
which plan a copy is hereunto add- 
ed, signed and sealed by the respec- 
tive plenipotentiaries. 

In order to designate the boundary 
line with due precision, upon autho- 
ritative maps, and to establish upon 
the ground landmarks which shall 
show the limits of both repubhcs, as 
described in the present article, the 
two Governments shall each appoint 
a commissioner and a surveyor, who, 
before the expiration of one year 
from the date of the exchange of ra- 
tifications of this treaty, shall meet 
at the port of San Diego, and pro- 
ceed to run and mark the said bound- 
ary in its whole course to the mouth 
of the Rio Bravo del Norte. They 
shall keep journals and make out 
plans of their operations ; and the 
result agreed upon by them shall be 
deemed a part of this treaty, and 
shall have the same force as if it were 
inserted therein. The two Govern- 
ments will amicably agree regarding 
what may be necessary to these per- 
sons, and also as to their respective 
escorts, should such be necessary. 



The boundary line established by 
this article shall be religiously re- 
spected by each of the two republics, 
and no change shall ever be made 
therein, except by the express and 
free consent of both nations, lawfully 
given by the general government of 
each, in conformity with its own 
constitution. 



puerto estd dibujado en el piano que 
levanto el ano de 1782 el segundo 
piloto de la armada Espaflola Don 
Juan Pantoja, y se publico en Madrid 
el de 1802, en el atlas para el viage 
de las goletas Sutil y Mexicana; del 
cual piano se agrega copia firmada y 
sellada por los plenipotenciarios re- 
spectivos. 

Para consiguar la linea divisoria 
con la precision debida en mapas fe- 
hacientes, y para establecer sobre la 
tierra mojones que pongan a la vista 
los limites de ambas republicas, se- 
gun quedan descritos en el presente 
articulo, nombrara cada uno de los 
dos Gobiernos un commisario y un 
agrimensor que se juntaran antes del 
termino de un ano contado desde la 
fecha del cange de las ratificaciones 
de este tratado, en el puerto de San 
Diego, y procederan a seiialar y de- 
marcar la expresada linea divisoria 
en todo su curso hasta la desembo- 
cadura del rio Bravo del Norte. 
Llevaran dlarios y llevantaran pianos 
de sus operaciones : y el resultado 
convenido por ellos se tendra por 
parte de este tratado, y tendra la 
misma fuerza que si estuviese inser- 
to en el ; debiendo convenir amisto- 
samente los dos gobiernos en el ar- 
reglo de cuanto necesiten estos indi- 
viduos, y en la escolta respectiva 
que deban llevar, siempre que se 
crea necessario. 

La linea divisoria que seestablece 
por este articulo sera religiosamente 
respetada por cada una de las dos 
republicas, y ninguna variacion se 
hara jamas en ella, sino de expreso 
y libre consentimiento de ambas na- 
ciones, otorgado legalmente por el 
gobierno general de cada una de 
ellas, con arreglo a su propia con- 
stitucion. 



10 



Article VT. 



Articulo VI. 



The vessels and citizens of the 
United States shall, in all time, have 
a free and uninterrupted passage by 
the gulf of California, and by the 
river Colorado below its confluence 
with the Gila, to and from their pos- 
sessions situated north of the boun- 
dary line defined in the preceding 
article; it being understood that this 
passage is to be by navigating the 
gulf of California and the river Col- 
orado, and not by land, without the 
express consent of the Mexican gov- 
ernment. 

If, by the examinations which may 
be made, it should be ascertained to 
be practicable and advantageous to 
construct a road, canal, or railway, 
which should in whole or in part run 
upon the river Gila, or upon its right 
or its left bank, within the space of 
one marine league from either mar- 
gin of the river, the governments of 
both republics will form an agree- 
ment regarding its construction, in 
order that it may serve equally for 
the use and advantage of both coun- 
tries. 



Los buques y ciudadanos de los 
Estados Unidos tendran en todo 
tiempo un libre y no interrumpido 
transito por el golfo de California y 
por el rio Colorado desde su conflu- 
encia con el Gila, para sus posesiones 
y desde sus posesiones sitas al norte 
de la linea divisoria que queda mar- 
cada en el articulo precedente; en- 
tendiendose que este transito se ha 
de hacer navegando por el golfo de 
California y por el rio Colorado, y 
no por tierra, sin expreso consenti- 
miento del gobierno Mexicano. 

Si por reconocimieiitos que se 
practiquen, se comprobare la posi- 
bilidad y conveniencia de construir 
un camino, canal, 6 ferro-carril, que 
en todo 6 en parte corra sobre el rio 
Gila 6 sobre alguna de sus margenes 
derecha 6 izquierda en la latitud de 
una legua marina de uno 6 de otro 
lado del rio, los gobiernos de ambas 
republicas se pondran de acuerdo 
sobre su construccion a fin de que 
sirva igualmente para el uso y pro- 
vecho de ambos paises. 



Article VII. 



Articulo VII. 



The river Gila, and the part of the 
Rio Bravo del Norte lying below the 
southern boundary of New Mexico, 
being, agreeably to the fifth article, 
divided in the middle between the 
two republics, the navigation of the 
Gila and of the Bravo below said 
boundary shall be free and common 
to the vessels and citizens of both 
countries; and neither shall, without 
the consent of the other, construct 
any work that may impede or inter- 
rupt, in whole or in part, the exer- 
cise of this right; not even for the 
purpose of favoring new methods of 
navigation. Nor ehall any tax or 
contribution, under any denomina- 



Como el rio Gila y la parte del 
rio Bravo del Norte que corre bajo 
el lindero meridional de Nuevo Mex- 
ico se dividen por mitad entre las 
dos republicas, segun lo establecido 
en el articulo quinto, la navegacion 
en el Gila y en la parte que queda 
indicada del Bravo, sera libre y 
comun a los buques y ciudadanos de 
ambos paises, sin que por alguno de 
ellos pueda hacerse (sin consenti- 
miento del otro) ninguna obra que 
impido 6 interrumpa en todo 6 en 
parte el ejercicio de este derecho, ni 
aun con motivo de favorecer nuevos 
metodos de navegacion. Tampoco 
se podra cobr ar (sino en el caso de 



11 



tion or title, be levied upon vessels, 
or persons navigating the same, or 
upon merchandise or effects trans- 
ported thereon, except in the case of 
landing upon one of their shores. If, 
for the purpose of making the said 
rivers navigable, or for maintaining 
them in such state, it should be ne- 
cessary or advantageous to establish 
any tax or contribution, this shall 
not be done without the consent of 
both governments. 

The stipulations contained in the 
present article shall not impair the 
territorial rights of either republic 
within its established limits. 



Article VIII. 

Mexicans now established in ter- 
ritories previously belonging to Mex- 
ico, and which remain for the future 
within the limits of the United States, 
as defined by the present treaty, 
shall be free to continue where they 
now reside, or to remove at any time 
to the Mexican republic, retaining 
the property which they possess in 
the said territories, or disposing 
thereof, and removing the proceeds 
wherever they please, without their 
being subjected, on this account, to 
any contribution, tax, or charge 
whatever. 

Those who shall prefer to remain 
in the said territories, may either 
retain the title and rights of Mexican 
citizens, or acquire those of citizens 
of the United States. But they shall 
be under the obligation to make their 
election within one year from the 
date of the exchange of ratifications 
of this treaty; and those who shall 
remain in the said territories after 
the expiration of that year, without 
having declared their intention to re- 
tain the character of Mexicans, shall 
be considered to have elected to be- 
come citizens of the United States. 



2 



desembarco en alguna de sus riberas) 
ningun impuesto 6 contribucion bajo 
ninguna denominacion 6 titulo a los 
buques, efectos, mercancias 6 per- 
sonas que naveguen en dichos rios. 
Si para hacerlos 6 mantenerlos nave- 
gables fuere necesario 6 conveniente 
establecer alguna contribucion 6 
impuesto, no podra esto hacerse 
sin el consentimiento de los dos 
gobiernos. 

Las estipulaciones contenldas en 
el presente articulo dejan ilesos los 
derechos territoriales de una y otra 
republica dentro de los limites que 
les quedan marcados. 

Articulo VIII. 

Los Mexicanos establecidos hoy 
en territories pertenecientes antes a 
Mexico, y que quedan para lo futuro 
dentro de los limites senalados por 
el presente tratado a los Estados 
Unidos, podran permanecer en donde 
ahora habitan, 6 trasladarse en cual- 
quier tiempo a la republica Mexi- 
cana, conservando en los indicados 
territories los bienes que poseen, 6 
enagenandolos y pasando su valor a 
donde les convenga, sin que por esto 
pueda exigirseles ningun genero de 
contribucion, gravamen 6 impuesto. 

Los que prefieran permanecer en 
los indicados territories, podran con- 
servar el titulo y derechos de ciuda- 
danos Mexicanos, 6 adquirir el titulo 
v derechos de ciudadanos de los 
Estados Unidos. Mas la eleccion 
entre una y otra ciudadania deberan 
hacerla dentro de un alio contado 
desde la fecha del cange de las rati- 
ficaciones de este tratado. Y los que 
permanecieren en los indicados ter- 
ritorios despues de transcurrido el 
ano, sin haber declarado su intencion 
de retener el caracterde Mexicanos, 
se considerara que han elegido ser 
ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos. 



12 



In the said territories, property of 
every kind, now belonging to Mexi- 
cans not established there, shall be 
inviolably respected. The present 
owners, the heirs of these, and all 
Mexicans who may hereafter ac- 
quire said property by contract, 
shall enjoy "with respect to it guar- 
anties equally ample as if the same 
belonged to citizens of the United 
States. 



Article IX. 

The Mexicans who, in the territo- 
ries aforesaid, shall not preserve the 
character of citizens of the Mexican 
republic, conformably with what is 
stipulated in the preceding article, 
shall be incorporated into the union 
of the United States and be admitted 
at the proper time (to be judged of 
by the Congress of the United States) 
to the enjoyment of all the rights of 
citizens of the United States, accord- 
ing to the principles of the Constitu- 
tion; and in the mean time shall be 
maintained and protected in the free 
enj oy ment of their liberty and proper- 
ty, and secured in the free exercise 
of their religion virithout restriction. 

Article X. 

[Stricken out.] 

Article XL 

Considering that a great part of 
the territories, which, by the present 
treaty, are to be comprehended for 
the future within the limits of the 
United States, is now occupied by 
savage tribes, who will hereafter be 
under the exclusive control of the 
government of the United States, 
and whose incursions within the ter- 
ritory of Mexico would be prejudi- 
cial in the extreme, it is solemnly 



Las propiedades de todo genero 
existentes en los expresados territo- 
ries, y que pertenecen ahora a Mex- 
icanos no establecidos en ellos, seran 
respetadas inviolablemente. Sus ac- 
tuales duefios, los herederos dc estos, 
y los Mexicanos que en lo venidero 
puedan adquirir por contrato las in- 
dicadas propiedades, disfrutaran re- 
specto de ellas tan amplia garantia, 
como si perteneciesen a ciudadanos 
de los Estados Unidos. 

Articulo IX. 

Los Mexicanos que, en los terri- 
rorios antedichos, no conserven el 
caractcr de ciudadanos de la repub- 
lica Mexicana, segun lo estipulado 
en el articulo precedente seran in- 
corporados en la union de los Estados 
Unidos, y se admitiran en tiempo 
oportuno (a juicio del Congreso de 
los Estados Unidos) al goce de todos 
los derechos de ciudadanos de los 
Estados Unidos conform e a los prin- 
cipios de la constitucion; y entre- 
tanto seran mantenidos y protegidos 
en el goce de su libertad y propiedad, 
y asegurados en el libre ejercicio de 
su religion sin restricion alguna. 



Articulo X. 

[Supriraido.] 

Articulo XL 

En atencion a que una gran parte 
de los territorios que por el presente 
tratado van a quedar para lo future 
dentro de los limites de los Estados 
Unidos, se halla actualmente ocu- 
pada por tribas salvages, que han de 
estar en adelante bajo la exclusiva 
autoridad del gobierno de los Estados 
Unidos, y cuyas incursiones sobre 
los distritos Mexicanos serian en ex- 
treme perjudiciales; estd solemne- 



13 



agreed that all such incursions shall 
be forcibly restrained by the Govern- 
ment of the United States whenso- 
ever this maybe necessary; and that 
when they cannot be prevented they 
shall be punished by the said Gov- 
ernment, and satisfaction for the 
same shall be exacted — all in the 
same way, and with equal dihgence 
and energy, as if the same incursions 
were meditated or committed within 
its own territory, against its own 
citizens. 

It shall not be lawful, under any 
pretext whatever, for any inhabitant 
of the United States to purchase or 
acquire any Mexican, or any foreign- 
er residing in Mexico, who may have 
been captured by Indians inhabiting 
the territory of either of the two re- 
publics, nor to purchase or acquire 
horses, mules, cattle, or property of 
any kind, stolen within Mexican ter- 
ritory by such Indians. 

And in the event of any person 
or persons, captured within Mexican 
territory by Indians, being carried 
into the territory ofthe United States, 
the government of the latter engages 
and binds itself, in the most solemn 
manner, so soon as it shall know of 
such captives being within its terri- 
tory, and shall be able so to do, 
through the faithful exercise of its 
influence and power, to rescue them 
and return them to their country, or 
deliver them to the agent or repre- 
sentative of the Mexican govern- 
ment. The Mexican authorities 
will, as far as practicable, give to 
the government of the United States 
notice of such captures ; and its 
agent shall pay the expenses incur- 
red in the maintenance and trans- 
mission of the rescued captives ; 
who, in the mean time, shall be treat- 
ed with the utmost hospitality by the 
American authorities at the place 
where they may be. But if the gov- 
ernment of the United States, before 



mente convenido que el mismo go- 
bierno de los Estados Unidos con- 
tendra las indicadas incursiones por 
medio de la fuerza siempre que asisea 
necesario; y cuando no pudiere pre- 
venirlas, castigara y escarmentara a 
los invasores, exigiendoles ademas 
la debida reparacion: todo del mismo 
modo, y con la misma diligencia y 
energia con que obraria, si las incur- 
siones se hubiesen meditado 6 ejecu- 
tado sobre territories suyos 6 contra 
sus propios ciudadanos. 

A ningun habitante de los Estados 
Unidos sera licito, bajo ningun pre- 
testo, comprar 6 adquirir cautivo al- 
guno, Mexicano 6 extrangero resi- 
dente en Mexico, apresado por los 
Indies habitantes en territorio de 
cualquiera de las dos republicas, ni 
los caballos, mulas, ganados, 6 cual 
quiera otro genero de cosas que ha- 
yan robado dentro del territorio Mex- 
icano. 

Y en caso de que cualquier per- 
sona 6 personas cautivadas por los 
Indios dentro del territorio Mexicano 
sean llevadas al territorio de los Es- 
tados Unidos el gobierno de dichos 
Estados Unidos se compromete y liga 
de la manera mas solemne, en cuan- 
to le sea posible, a rescatarlas, y a 
restituirlas a su pais, 6 entregarlas 
al agente 6 representanta del gobier- 
no Mexicano ; hacienao todo esto, 
tan luego como sepa que los dichos 
cautivos se hallan dentro de su ter- 
ritorio, y empleando al efecto el leal 
ejercicio de su influencia y poder. 
Las autoridades Mexicanas daran a 
las de los Estados Unidos, segun sea 
practicable, una noticia de tales cau- 
tivos ; y el agente Mexicano pagara 
los gastos erogados en el manteni- 
miento y remision de los que se res- 
eaten, los cuales entre tanto sean 
tratados con la mayor hospitalidad 
por las autoridades Americanas del 
lugar en que se encuentren. Mas si 
el gobierno de los Estados Unidos 



14 



receiving such notice from Mexico, 
should obtain intelligence, through 
any other channel, of the existence 
of Mexican captives within its terri- 
tory, it will proceed forthwith to ef- 
fect their release and delivery to the 
Mexican agent as above stipulated. 

For the purpose of giving to these 
stipulations the fullest possible effi- 
cacy, thereby aflbrding the security 
and redress demanded by their true 
spirit and intent, the government of 
the United States will now and here- 
after pass, without unnecessary de- 
lay, and always vigilantly enforce, 
such laws as the nature of the sub- 
ject may require. And finally, the 
sacredness of this obligation shall 
never be lost sight of by the said 
government when providing for the 
removal of the Indians from any 
portion of the said territories, or for 
its being settled by citizens of the 
United States ; but, on the contrary, 
special care shall be taken not to 
place its Indian occupants under the 
necessity of seeking new homes, by 
committing those invasions which 
the United States have solemnly ob- 
liged themselves to restrain. 



Article XII. 

In consideration of the extension 
acquired by the boundaries of the 
United States, as defined in the fifth 
article of the present treaty, the 
government of the United States en- 
gages to pay to that of the Mexican 
republic the sum of fifteen millions 
of dollars. 

Immediately after this treaty shall 
have been duly ratified by the gov- 
ernment of the Mexican republic, 
the sum of three millions of dollars 
shall be paid to the said government 
by that of the United Statee, at the 



antes de recibir aviso de Mexico, 
tuviera noticia por cualquiera otro 
conducto de existir en su territorio 
cautivos Mexicanos, procedera desde 
luego a verificar su rescate y entrega 
al agente Mexicano, segun queda 
convenido. 

Con el objeto de dar a estas esti- 
pulaciones la mayor fuerza posible, 
y afianzar, al mismo tiempo la segu- 
ridad y las reparaciones que exige el 
verdadero espiritu e intencion con 
que se han ajustado, el gobierno de 
los Estados Unidos dictara sin in- 
utiles delaciones, ahora y en lo de 
adelante, las leyes que requiera la 
naturaleza del asunto, y vigilara 
siempre sobre su ejecucion. Final- 
mente, el gobierno de los mismos Es- 
tados Unidos tendra muy presente 
la santidad de esta obligacion siem- 
pre que tenga que desalojar a los In- 
dies de cualquier punto de los indi- 
cados territories 6 que establecer en 
el a ciudadanos suyos : y cuidara 
muy especialmente de que no se 
ponga a los Indios que habitaban 
antes aquel punto, en necesidad de 
buscar nuevos hogares por medio de 
las incursiones sobre los distritos 
Mexicanos, que el gobierno de los 
Estados Unidos se ha comprometido 
solemnemente a reprimir. 

Articulo XII. 

En consideracion a la estension 
que adquieren los limites de los Es- 
tados Unidos, segun quedan descri' 
tos en el articulo quinto del presente 
tradado, el gobierno de los mismos 
Estados Unidos se compromete a 
pagar al de la republica Mexicana la 
suma de quince millones de pesos. 

Inmediatamente despues que este 
tratado haya sido ratificado por el 
gobierno de la republica Mexicana, 
se entregara al mismo gobierno por 
el de los Estados Unidos, en la ciu- 
dad de Mexico, y en moneda de 



15 



city of Mexico, in the gold or silver 
coin of Mexico. The remaining 
twelve millions of dollars shall be 
paid at the same place, and in the 
same coin, in annual instalments of 
three millions of dollars each, to- 
gether with interest on the same at 
the rate of six per centum per an- 
num. This interest shall begin to 
run upon the whole sum of twelve 
millions from the day of the ratifica- 
tion of the present treaty by the 
Mexican government, and the first 
of the instalments shall be paid at 
the expiration of one year from the 
same day. Together with each an- 
nual instalment, as it falls due, the 
whole interest accruing on such in- 
stalment from the beginning shall 
also be paid. 

Article XIII. 



plata u oro del cuno Mexicano la 
suma de tres millones de pesos. Los 
doce millones de pesos restantes se 
pagaran en Mexico, en moneda de 
plata u oro del cuno Mexicano, en 
abonos de tres millones de pesos ca- 
da ano, con un redito de seis por 
ciento anual : este redito comienzara 
a correr para toda la suma de los 
doce millones el dia de la ratificacion 
del presente tratado por el gobierno 
Mexicano, y con cada abono antial 
de capital se pagara el redito que 
corresponda a la suma abonada. Los 
plazos para los abonos de capital cor- 
ren desde el mismo dia que empie- 
zan a causarse los reditos. 



Articulo XIII. 



The United States engage, more- 
over, to assume and pay to the claim- 
ants all the amounts now due them, 
and those hereafter to become due, 
by reason of the claims already li- 
quidated and decided against the 
Mexican republic, under the con- 
ventions between the two republics 
severally concluded on the eleventh 
day of April, eighteen hundred and 
thirty-nine, and on the thirtieth day 
of January, eighteen hundred and 
forty-three; so that the Mexican re- 
public shall be absolutely exempt, 
for the future, from all expense 
whatever on account of the said 
claims. 



Se obliga ademas el gobierno de 
los Estados Unidos a tomar sobre si, 
y satisfacer cumplidamente a los re- 
clamantes, todas l^s cantidades que 
hasta aqui se les deben y cuantas se 
venzan en adelante por razon de las 
reclamaciones ya liquidadas y sen- 
tenciadas contra la republica Mexi- 
cana conforme a los convenios ajus- 
tados entre ambas republicas el once 
de Abril de mil ochocientos treinta 
y nueve, y el treinta de Enero de 
mil ochocientos cuarenta y tres; de 
manera que la republica Mexicana 
nada absolutamente tendra que lasta 
en lo venidero, por razon de los in- 
dicados reclamos. 



Article XIV. 



Articulo XIV. 



The United States do furthermore 
discharge the Mexican republic from 
all claims of citizens of the United 
States, not heretofore decided against 
the Mexican government, which may 
have arisen previously to the date of 
the signature of this treaty; which 



Tambien exoneran los Estados 
Unidos a la republica Mexicana de 
todas las reclamaciones de ciudada- 
nos de los Estados Unidos no deci- 
didas aun contra el gobierno Mexi- 
cano, y que puedan haberse origi- 
nado antes de la fecha de la firma 



16 



discharge shall be final and perpetual, 
■whether the said claims be rejected 
or be allowed by the board of com- 
missioners provided for in the fol- 
lowing article, and whatever shall be 
the total amount of those allowed. 



Article XV. 

The United States, exonerating 
Mexico from all demands on ac- 
count of the claims of their citizens 
mentioned in the preceding article, 
and considering them entirely and 
forever cancelled, whatever their 
amount may be, undertake to make 
satisfaction for the same, to an 
amount not exceeding three and one 
quarter millions of dollars. To ascer- 
tain the validity and amount of those 
claims, a board of commissioners 
shall be established by the govern- 
ment of the United States, whose 
awards shall be final and conclusive: 
provided, that, in deciding upon the 
validity of each claim, the board 
shall be guided and governed by the 
principles and rules of decision pre- 
scribed by the first and fifth articles 
of the unratified convention, con- 
cluded at the city of Mexico on the 
twentieth day of November, one 
thousand eight hundred and forty- 
three; and in no case shall an award 
be made in favor of any claim not 
embraced by these principles and 
rules. 

If, in the opinion of the said board 
of commissioners, or of the claim- 
ants, any books, records, or docu- 
ments in the possession or power of 
the government of the Mexican re- 
public, shall be deemed necessary 
to the just decision of any claim, 
the commissioners, or the claimants 
through them, shall, within such pe- 
riod as Congress may designate, 
make an application in writing for 



del presente tratado: esta exonera- 
cion es definitiva y perpetua, bien 
sea que las dichas reclamaciones se 
admitan, bien sea que se desechen 
por el tribunal de comisarios de que 
habla el articulo siguiente y cual- 
quiera que pueda ser el monto total 
de las que queden admitidas. 

Articulo XV. 

Los Estados Unidos, exonerando 
a Mexico de toda responsabilidad por 
las reclamaciones de sus ciudadanos 
mencionadas en el articulo prece- 
dente, y considerandolas completa- 
mente canceladas para siempre, sea 
cual fuere su monto, toman a su car- 
go satisfacerlas hasta una cantidad 
que no exceda de tres millones dos- 
cientos cincuenta mil pesos. Para 
fijar el monto y validez de estas re- 
clamaciones, se establecera por el 
gobierno de los Estados Unidos un 
tribunal de comisarios, cuyos fallos 
seran definitives y concluyentes, con 
tal que al decidir sobre la validez de 
dichas reclamaciones, el tribunal se 
haya guiado y gobernado por los 
principios y reglas de decision estab- 
lecidos en los articulos primero y 
quinto de la convencion, no ratifica- 
da, que se ajusto en la ciudad de 
Mexico el veinte de Noviembre de 
mil ochocientos cuarenta y tres: y 
en ningun caso se dara fallo en favor 
de ninguna rcclamacion que no este 
comprendida en las reglas y prin- 
cipios indicados. 

Si en juicio del dicho tribunal de 
comisarios, 6 en el de los reclaman- 
tes se necesitaren para lajusta deci- 
sion de cualquier reclamacion algu- 
nos libros, j)apeles de archivo 6 doc- 
umentos que posea el gobierno Mex- 
icano, 6 que esten en su poder; los 
comisarios, 6 los reclamantes por 
conducto de ellos, los pediran por 
escrito (dentro del plazo que designe 
el Congreso) dirigiendose alministro 



17 



the same, addressed to the Mexican 
minister for foreign affairs, to be 
transmitted by the Secretary of State 
of the United States; and the Mexi- 
can government engages, at the ear- 
liest possible moment after the re- 
ceipt of such demand, to cause any 
of the books, records, or documents, 
so specified, which shall be in their 
possession or power, (or authenticat- 
ed copies or extracts of the same,) 
to be transmitted to the said Secre- 
tary of State, who shall immediately 
deliver them over to the said board 
of commissioners: Provided, That no 
such application shall be made by, 
or at the instance of, any claimant, 
until the facts, which it is expected 
to prove by such books, records, or 
documents, shall have been §tated 
under oath or affirmation. 



Article XVI. 

Each of the contracting parties re- 
serves to itself the entire right to for- 
tify whatever point within its terri- 
tory it may judge proper so to forti- 
fy, for its security. 

Article XVII. 

The treaty of amity, commerce, 
and navigation, concluded at the city 
of Mexico on the fifth day of April, 
A. D. 1831, between the United 
States of America and the United 
Mexican States, except the addition- 
al article, and except so far as the 
stipulations of the said treaty may 
be incompatible with any stipulation 
contained in the present treaty, is 
hereby revived for the period of eight 
years from the day of the exchange 
of ratifications of this treaty, with 
the same force and virtue as if in- 
corporated therein; it being under- 
stood that each of the contracting 
partiea reserves to itself the right, at 



Mexicano de relaciones exteriores, a 
quien'transmitira las peticiones de 
esta clase el Secretario de Estado de 
los Estados Unidos: y el gobierno 
Mexicano se compromete a entregar 
a la mayor brevedad posible, despues 
de recibida cada demanda, los libros, 
papeles de archivo 6 documentos, 
asi especificados, que posea 6 esten 
en su poder, 6 copias 6 extractos au- 
tenticos de los mismos, con el objeto 
de que sean transmitidos al Secreta- 
rio de Estado, qui en los pasara in- 
mediatamente al expresado tribunal 
de comisarios. Y no se hara peticion 
alguna de los enunciados libros, pape- 
les 6 documentos, por 6 a instancia 
de ningun reclamante, sin que antes 
se hay a aseverado bajo juramento 6 
con afirmacion solemne la verdad de 
los hechos que con ellos se pretende 
probar. 

Articulo XVI. 

Cada una de las dos republicas se 
reserva la completa facultad de forti- 
ficar todos los puntos que para su 
seguridad estime convenientes en su 
propio territorio. 

Articulo XVII. 

El tratado de amistad, comercioy 
navegacion, concluido en la ciudad 
de Mexico el cinco de Abril, delaflo 
del Senor 1831, entre la republica 
Mexicana y los Estados Unidos de 
America, esceptuandose el articulo 
adicional y cuanto pueda haber en 
sus estipulaciones incompatible con 
alguna de las contenidas en el pre- 
sente tratado, quedarestablecidopor 
el periodo de ocho aflos desde el dia 
del cange de las ratificaciones del 
mismo presente tratado, con igual 
fuerza y valor que si estuviese inser- 
to en el; debiendo entenderse que 
cada una de las partes contratantes 
se reserva el derecho de poner ter 



18 



any time after the said period of eight 
years shall have expired, to termi- 
nate the same by giving one year's 
notice of such intention to the other 
party. 

Article XVIII. 

All supplies whatever for troops of 
the United States in Mexico, arriv- 
ing at ports in the occupation of such 
troops previous to the final evacua- 
tion thereof, although subsequently 
to the restoration of the custom- 
houses at such ports, shall be entire- 
ly exempt from duties and charges 
of any kind; the government of the 
United States hereby engaging and 
pledging its faith to establish, and 
vigilantly to enforce, all possible 
guards for securing the revenue of 
Mexico, by preventing the importa- 
tion, under cover of this stipulation, 
of any articles other than such, both 
in kind and in quantity, as shall 
really be wanted for the use and con- 
sumption of the forces of the United 
States during the time they may re- 
main in Mexico. To this end, it 
shall be the duty of all officers and 
agents of the United States to de- 
nounce to the Mexican authorities at 
the respective ports any attempt at 
a fraudulent abuse of this stipulation 
which they may know of or may 
have reason to suspect, and to give 
to such authorities all the aid in their 
power with regard thereto; and every 
such attempt, when duly proved and 
established by sentence of a compe- 
tent tribunal, shall be punished by 
the confiscation of the property so 
attempted to be fraudulently intro- 
duced. 



mino al dicho tratado tie comercio y 
navegacion en cualquier tiempoluego 
que haya expirado el periodo de los 
ocho anos, comunicando su intencion 
a la otra parte con un ano de antici- 
pacion. 

Articulo XVIII. 

No se exig-iran derechos ni grava- 
men de ninguna clase a los articulos 
todos que lleguen para las tropas de i 
los Estados Unidos a los puertos 
Mexicanos occupados por ellas, antes 
de la evacuacion final de los mismos 
puertos, y despues de la devolucion 
a Mexico de las aduanas situadas en 
ellos. El gobierno de los Estados 
Unidos se compromete a la vez, y 
sobre esto empena su fe, a establecer 
y mantener con vigilancia cuantos 
guardas scan posibles para asegurar 
las rentas de Mexico, precaviendola 
importacion, a la sombra de esta es- 
tipulacion, de cualesquiera articulos 
que realmente no sean necesarios, 
6 que excedan en cantidad de los que 
se necesiten para el uso y consumo 
de las fuerzas de los Estados Unidos 
mientras ellas permanezcan en Mex- 
ico. A este efecto, todos los oficiales 
y agentes de los Estados Unidos ten- 
dran obligacion de denunciar a las 
autoridades Mexicanas en los mis- 
mos puertos, cualquier conato de 
fraudulentoabusodeestaestipulacion 
que pudieren conocer 6 tuvieren mo- 
tivo de sospechar; asi como de im- 
partira las mismas autoridades todo 
el auxilio que pudieren con este ob- 
jeto : y cualquier conato de esta clase, 
que fuere legalmente probado, y de- 
clarado por sentencia de tribunal 
competente, sera castigado con el 
comiso de la cosa que se haya inten- 
tado introducir fraudulentamente. 



Article XIX. 

With respect to all merchandise, 
effects, and property whatsoever, 



Articulo XIX. 

Respecto de los efectos, mercan- 
cias y propiedades importados en los 



19 



imported into ports of Mexico whilst 
in the occupation of the forces of the 
United States, whether by citizens 
of either republic, or by citizens or 
subjects of any neutral nation, the 
following rules shall be observed: 

1. All such merchandise, effects, 
and property, if imported previously 
to the restoration of the custom- 
houses to the Mexican authorities, 
as stipulated for in the third article 
of this treaty, shall be exempt from 
confiscation, although the importa- 
tion of the same be prohibited by the 
Mexican tariff. 

2. The same perfect exemption 
shall be enjoyed by all such mer- 
chandise, effects, and property, im- 
ported subsequently to the restora- 
tion of the custom-houses, and pre- 
viously to the sixty days fixed in the 
following article for the coming into 
force of the Mexican tariff at such 
ports respectively; the said mer- 
chandise, effects, and propert}- be- 
ing, however, at the time of their 
importation, subject to the payment 
of duties, as provided for in the said 
following article. 

3. All merchandise, effects, and 
property described in the two rules 
foregoing shall, during their continu- 
ance at the place of importation, and 
upon their leaving such place for the 
interior, be exempt from all duty, 
tax, or impost of every kind, under 
whatsoever title or denomination. 
Nor shall they be there subjected to 
any charge whatsoever upon the sale 
thereof. 

4. All merchandise, effects, and 
property, described in the first_ and 
second rules, which shall have "been 
removed to any place in the interior 
whilst such place was in the occu- 
pation of the forces of the United 
States, shall, during their continu- 
ance therein, be exempt from all 



puertos Mexicanos durante el tiempo 
que jian estado ocupados por las fu- 
erzcts de los Estados Unidos, sea por 
ciudadanos de cualquiera de las dos 
republicas, sea por ciudadanos 6 sub- 
ditos de alguna nacion neutral, se 
observaran las reglas sisruientes: 

1. Los dichos efectos, mercancias 
y propiedades siempre que se hayan 
importado antes de la devolucion de 
las aduanas a las autoridades Mexi- 
canas conforme a lo estipulado en el 
articulo tercero de este tratado, que- 
daran libres de la pena de comiso, 
aun cuando sean de los prohibidos 
en el arancel Mexicano. 

2. La misma exencion gozaran los 
efectos, mercancias y propiedades 
que lleguen a los puertos Mexicanos, 
despues de la devolucion a Mexico 
de las aduanas maritimas, y antes 
de que expiren los sesenta dias que 
van a fijarse en el articulo siguiente 
para que empieze a regir el arancel 
Mexicano en los puertos; debiendo 
al tiempo de su importacion sujetarse 
los tales efectos, mercancias y pro- 
piedades, en cuanto al pago de dere- 
chos, a lo que en el indicado sigui- 
ente articulo se establece. 

3. Los efectos, mercancias y pro- 
piedades designados en las dos reg- 
las anteriores quedaran exentos de 
todo derecho, alcabala 6 impuesto, 
sea bajo el titulo de internacion, sea 
bajo cualquiera otro, mientras per- 
menezcan en los puntos donde se 
hayan importado, y a su salida para 
el interior; y en los mismos puntos 
no podra jamas exigirse impuesto 
alguno sobre su venta. 

4. Los efectos, mercancias, y pro- 
piedades, designados en las reglas 
primera y segunda que hayan sido 
internados a cualquier lugar ocupado 
por fuerzas de los Estados Unidos, 
quedaran exentos de todo derecho 
sobre su venta 6 consumo, y de todo 
impuesto 6 contribucion bajo cual- 



20 



tax upon the sale or consumption 
thereof, and from every kind of im- 
post or contribution, under whatso- 
ever title or denomination. 

5. Butifany merchandise, effects, 
or property, described in the first 
and second rules, shall be removed 
to any place not occupied at the 
time by the forces of the United 
States, they shall, upon their intro- 
duction into such place, or upon their 
sale or consumption there, be sub- 
ject to the same duties which, under 
the Mexican laws, they would be 
required to pay in such cases if they 
had been imported in time of peace, 
through the maritime custom-houses, 
and had there paid the duties con- 
formably with the Mexican tariff. 

6. The owners of all merchan- 
dise, effects, or property described 
in the first and second rules, and 
existing in any port of Mexico, shall 
have the right to reship the same, 
exempt from all tax, impost, or con- 
tribution whatever. 

With respect to the metals, or 
other property, exported from any 
Mexican port whilst in the occupa- 
tion of the forces of the United 
States, and previously to the resto- 
ration of the custom-house at such 
port, no person shall be required by 
the Mexican authorities, whether 
general or State, to pay any tax, 
duty, or contribution upon any such 
exportation, or in any manner to ac- 
count for the same to the said au- 
thorities. 



Article XX. 

Through consideration for the in- 
terests of commerce generally, it is 
agreed, that if less than sixty days 
should elapse between the date of 
the signature of this treaty and the 
restoration of the custom-houses, 



quier titulo 6 denominacion, mien- 
tras permanezcan en el mismo lugar. 

5. Mas si algunos efectos, mer- 
cancias 6 propiedades de los desig- 
nados en las reglas primera y segun- 
da se trasladaren a algun lugar no 
ocupado a la sazon por las fuerzas 
de los Estados Unidos, al intro- 
ducirse a tal lugar, 6 al venderse 6 
consumirse en el quedaran sujetos a 
los mismos derechos que bajo las 
leyes Mexicanas deberian pagar en 
tales casos si se hubieran importado 
en tiempo de paz por las aduanas 
maritimas, y hubiesen pagado en el- 
las los derechos que establece el 
arancel Mexicano. 

6. Los duenos de efectos, mer- 
cancias, y propiedades designados 
en las reglas primera y segunda, y 
existentes en algun puerto de Mexi- 
co, tienen derecho de re-embarcar- 
los, sin que pueda exigirseles nin- 
guna clase de impuesto, alcabala 6 
contribucion. 

Respecto de los metales y de toda 
otra propiedad exportados por cual- 
quier puerto Mexicano durante su 
ocupacion por las fuerzas Ameri- 
canas, y antes de la devolucion de 
su aduana al gobierno Mexicano, no 
se exigira a ninguna persona por las 
autoridades de Mexico, ya dependan 
del gobierno general, ya de algun es- 
tado que pague ningun impuesto, al- 
cabala 6 derecho por la indicada ex- 
portacion, ni sobre ella podra exi- 
girsele por las dichas autoridades 
cuenta alguna. 

Articulo XX. 

Por consideracion a los inlereses 
del comercia de todas las naciones, 
queda convenido que si pasaren me- 
nos de sesenta dias desde la fecha 
de la firma de este tratado hasta que 
se haga la devolucion de las aduanas 



21 



conformably with the stipulation in 
the third article, in such case all 
merchandise, effects, and property 
whatsoever, arriving at the Mexican 
ports after the restoration of the said 
custom-houses, and previously to 
the expiration of sixty days after the 
day of the signature of this treaty, 
shall be admitted to entry; and no 
other duties shall be levied thereon 
than the duties established by the 
tariff found in force at such custom- 
houses at the time of the restoration 
of the same. And to all such mer- 
chandise, effects, and property, the 
rules established by the preceding 
article shall apply. 

Article XXI. 

If unhappily any disagreement 
should hereafter arise between the 
governments of the two republics, 
whether with respect to the inter- 
pretation of any stipulation in this 
treaty, or Avith respect to any other 
particular concerning the poUtical or 
commercial relations of the two na- 
tions, the said government, in the 
name of those nations, do promise to 
each other that they will endeavor, 
in the most sincere and earnest man- 
ner, to settle the differences so aris- 
ing, and to preserve the state of 
peace and friendship in which the 
two countries are now placing them- 
selves; using, for this end, mutual 
representations and pacific negotia- 
tions. And if, by these means, 
they should not be enabled to come 
to an agreement, a resort shall_ not, 
on this account, be had to reprisals, 
ao-gression, or hostiUty of any kind, 
by the one republic against the other, 
until the government of that which 
deems itself aggrieved shall have 
maturely considered, in the spirit of 
peace and good neighborship, whe- 
ther it would not be better that such 
difference should be settled by the 



maritimas, segun lo estipulado en el 
articulo tercero; todos los efectos, 
mercancias, y propiedades que lle- 
guen a los puertos Mexicanos desde 
el dia en que se verifique la devolu- 
cion de las dichas aduanas hasta 
que se completen sesenta dias con- 
tados desde la fecha de la firma del 
presente tratado, se admitiran no 
pagando otros derechos que los es- 
tablecidos en la tarifa que este vi- 
gente en las expresadas aduanas al 
tiempo de su devolucion, y se exten- 
deran a dichos efectos, mercancias, 
y propiedades las mismas reglas es- 
tablecidas en el articulo anterior. 



Articulo XXI. 

Si desgraciadamente en el tiempo 

futuro se suscitare algun punto de 

desacuerdo entre los gobiernos de 

las dos republicas, bien sea sobre la 

inteUgencia de alguna estipulacion 

de este tratado, bien sobre cualquiera 

otra materia de las relaciones politi- 

cas 6 comerciales de las dos na- 

ciones, los mismos gobiernos, a nom- 

bre de ellas, se comprometen a pro- 

curar de la manera mas sincera y 

empenosa a llanar las diferencias que 

se presenten y conservar el estado 

de paz y amistad en que ahora se 

ponen los dos paises, usando al efecto 

de representaciones mutuas y de ne- 

gociaciones pacificas. Y si por es- 

tos medios no se lograre todavia po- 

nerse de acuerdo no por eso se ape- 

lara a represalia, agresion ni hostili- 

dad de ningun genero de una repub- 

lica contra otra, hasta que el gobierno 

de la que se crea agraviada haya 

considerado maduramente y en es- 

pii-itu de paz y buena vecindad, si 

no seria mejor que la dlferencia se 

terminara por un arbitramento de 

comisarios nombrados por ambas 

partes, 6 de una nacion amiga. Y 

si tal medio fuere propuesto por 



22 



arbitration of commissioners appoint- 
ed on each side, or by that of a friend- 
ly nation. And should such course 
be proposed by either party, it shall 
be acceded to by the other, unless 
deemed by it altogether incompatible 
with the nature of the difference, or 
the circumstances of the case. 

Article XXII. 

If (which is not to be expected, 
and which God forbid!) war should 
unhappily break out between the 
two republics, they do now, with a 
view to such calamity, solemnly 
pledge themselves to each other, 
and to the world, to observe the fol- 
lowing rules: absolutely, where the 
nature of the subject permits, and 
as closely as possible in all cases 
where such absolute observance shall 
be impossible: 

1. The merchants of either re- 
public then residing in the other 
shall be allowed to remain twelve 
months, (for those dwelling in the 
interior,) and six months, (for those 
dwelling at the seaports,) to collect 
their debts and settle their affairs, 
during which periods they shall en- 
joy the same protection, and be on 
the same footing, in all respects, as 
the citizens or subjects of the most 
friendly nations; and, at the expira- 
tion thereof, or any time before, 
they shall have full liberty to depart, 
carrying off all their effects without 
molestation or hinderance — conform- 
ing therein to the same laws which 
the citizens or subjects of the most 
friendly nations are required to con- 
form to. Upon the entrance of the 
armies of either nation into the ter- 
ritories of the other, women and 
children, ecclesiastics, scholars of 
every faculty, cultivators of the 
earth, merchants, artisans, manufac- 
turers, and fishermen, unarmed and 



cualquiera de las dos partes, la otra 
accedera a el, a no ser que lo juzgue 
absolutamente incompatible con la 
naturaleza y circumstancias del case. 



Articulo XXII. 

Si (lo que no es de esperarse, y 
Dios no permita) desgraciadamente 
se suscitare guerra entre las dos re- 
publicas, estas para el caso de tal 
calamidad se comprometen ahora 
solemnemente, ante si mismas y ante 
el mundo, a observar las reglas si- 
guientes de una manera absoluta si la 
naturaleza del objeto a que se con- 
traen lo permite; y tan extrictamente 
como sea dable en todos los casos en 
que la absoluta observancia de ellas 
fuere imposible: 

1. Los comerciantes de cada una 
de las dos republicas que a la sazon 
residan en territorio de la otra, po- 
dran permanecer doce meses los que 
residan en el interior, y seis meses 
los que residan en los puertos, para 
recoger sus deudas y arreglar sus 
negocios; durante estos plazos dis- 
putaran la misma proteccion y es- 
taran sobre el mismo pie en todos 
respectos que los ciudadanos 6 sub- 
ditos de las naciones mas amigas; y 
al expirar el termino, 6 antes de el, 
tendran completa libertad para salir 
y llevar todos sus efectos sin moles- 
tia 6 embarazo, sujetandose en este 
particular a las mismas leyes a que 
esten sujetos, y deban arreglarse 
los ciudadanos 6 subditos de las 
naciones mas amigas. Cuando los 
ejercitos de una de las dos naciones 
entren en territories de la otra, las 
mujeres y nines, los ecclesiasticos, 
los estudiantes de cualquier facul- 
tad, los labradores, comerciantes, 
artesanos, manufactureros, y pesca- 



23 



inhabiting unfortified towns, villa- 
ges, or places, and in general all 
persons whose occupations are for 
the common subsistence and benefit 
of mankind, shall be allowed to con- 
tinue their respective employments 
unmolested in their persons. Nor 
shall their houses or goods be burnt 
or otherwise destroyed, nor their 
cattle taken, nor their fields wasted, 
by the armed force into whose pow- 
er, by the events of war, they may 
happen to fall; but if the necessity 
arise to take anything from them for 
the use of such armed force, the 
same shall be paid for at an equita- 
ble price. All churches, hospitals, 
schools, colleges, libraries, and other 
establishments, for charitable and 
beneficent purposes, shall be respect- 
ed, and all persons connected with 
the same protected in the discharge 
of their duties, and the pursuit of 
their vocations. 



2. In order that the fate of prison- 
ers of war may be alleviated, all 
such practices as those of sending 
them into distant, inclement, or un- 
wholesome districts, or crowding 
them into close and noxious places, 
shall be studiously avoided. They 
shaU not be confined in dungeons, 
prison- ships, or prisons; nor be put 
in irons, or bound, or otherwise re- 
strained in the use of their limbs. 
The officers shall enjoy liberty on 
^eir paroles within convenient dis- 
tricts, and have comfortable quar- 
ters; and the common soldiers shall 
be disposed in cantonments, open 
and extensive enough for air and 
exercise, and lodged in barracks as 
roomy and good as are provided by 
the party in whose power they are 
for its own troops. But if any offi- 
cer shaU break his parole by leaving 
the district so assigned him, or any 
other prisoner shall escape from the 



dores que esten desarmados y resi- 
dan en ciudades, pueblos, 6 lugares 
no fortificados, y en general todas 
las personas cuya ocupacion sirva 
para la comun subsistencia y bene- 
ficio del genero humano, podran 
continuar en sus ejercicios, sin que 
sus personas sean molestadas. No 
seran incendiadas sus casas 6 bienes, 
6 destruidos de otra manera; ni 
seran tomados sus ganados, ni de- 
vastados sus campos por la fuerza 
armada en cuyo poder puedan venir 
a caer por los acontecimientos de la 
guerra; pero si hubiere necesidad de 
tomarles alguna cosa para el uso de 
la misma fuerza armada, se les pa- 
gara lo tomado a un precio justo, 
Todas las iglesias, hospitales, escu- 
elas, colegios, librerias, y demas es- 
tablecimientos de caridad y benefi- 
cencia seran respetados; y todas las 
personas que dependan de las mis- 
mas seran protegidas en el desera- 
peno de sus deberes y en la contin- 
uacion de l^us profesiones. 

2. Para aliviar la suerte de los 
prisioneros de guerra se evitaran 
cuidadosamente, las praticas de en- 
viarlos a distritos distantes, inclem- 
entes 6 malsanos, 6 de aglomerarlos 
en lugares estrechos y enfirmizos. 
No se confinaran en calabosos, pii- 
siones ni pontones; no se les aher- 
rojara ni se les atara, ni se les im- 
pedira de ningun otro modo el uso 
de sus miembros. Los oficiales que 
daran en libertad bajo su palabra 
de honor, dentro de distritos con- 
venientes y tendran alojamientos 
comodos; y los soldados rasos se 
colocaran en acantonamientos bas- 
tante despejados y extensos para la 
ventilacion y el ejercicio, y se alo- 
jaran en cuarteles tan amplios y 
comodos como los que use para sus 
propias tropas la parte que los tenga 
en su poder. Pero si algun oficial 
faltare a su palabra, saliendo del 
distrito que se le ha senalado, 6 



24 



limits of his cantonment, after they 
shall have been designated to him, 
such individual, officer, or other 
prisoner, shall forfeit so much of the 
benefit of this article as provides for 
his liberty on parole or in canton- 
ment. And if any officer so break- 
ing his parole, or any common sol- 
dier so escaping from the limits as- 
signed him, shall afterwards be found 
in arms, previously to his being reg- 
ularly exchanged, the person so of- 
fending shall be dealt with according 
to the established laws of war. The 
officers shall be daily furnished by 
the party in whose power they are 
with as many rations, and of the 
same articles, as are allowed, either 
in kind or by commutation, to offi- 
cers of equal rank in its own army; 
and all others shall be daily furnished 
with such ration as is allowed to a 
common soldier in its own service — 
the value of all which supplies shall, 
at the close of the war, or at periods 
to be agreed upon between the re- 
spective commanders, be paid by 
the other party, on a mutual adjust- 
ment of accounts for subsistence of 
prisoners; and such accounts shall 
not be mingled with or set off against 
any others, nor the balance due on 
them be withheld, as a compensa- 
tion or reprisal for any cause what- 
ever, real or pretended. Each party 
shall be allowed to keep a commis- 
saiy of prisoners, appointed by it- 
self, with every cantonment of pri- 
soners, in possession of the other; 
which commissary shall see the pri- 
soners as often as he pleases; shall 
be allowed to receive, exempt from 
all duties or taxes, and to distribute, 
whatever comforts may be sent to 
them by their friends; and shall be 
free to transmit his reports in open 
letters to the party by whom he is 
employed. 



algun otro prislonero se fugare de 
ios limites de su acantonamiento 
despues qu6 estos se les hay an fijado, 
tal oficial 6 prisionero perdera el 
beneficio del presente articulo por 
lo que mera a. su libertad bajo su 
palabra 6 en acantonamiento. Y si 
algun oficial faltando asi a su palabra, 
a algun soldado raso saliendo de Ios 
limites que se le han asignado, fuere 
encontrado despues con las armas 
en la mano antes de ser debidamente 
cangeado, tal persona en esta acti- 
tud ofensiva sera tratada conforme 
a las leyes comunes de la guerra. A 
Ios oficiales se proveera diariamente 
por la parte en cuyo poder esten, de 
tantas raciones compuestas de Ios 
mismos articulos como las que gozan 
en especie 6 en equivalente Ios ofi- 
ciales de la misma graduacion en su 
propio ejercito; a todos Ios demas 
prisioneros se proveera diariamente 
de una racion semejante a la que se 
ministra al soldado raso en su propio 
servicio; el valor de todas estas 
suministraciones se pagara por la 
otra parte al concluirse la guerra, 6 
en Ios periodos que se convengan 
entre sus respectivos comandantes, 
precediendo una mutua liquidacion 
de las cuentas que se lleven del 
mantenimiento de prisioneros; y 
tales cuentas no se mezclaranni com- 
pensaran con otras; ni el saldo que 
resulte de ellas, se reusara bajo pre- 
testo de compensacion 6 represalia 
por cualquiera causa, real 6 figurada. 
Cada una de las partes podra man- 
tener un comisario de prisioneros 
nombrador por ella misma en cada 
acantonamiento de Ios prisioneros 
que esten en poder de la otra parte; 
este comisario visitara a Ios prision- 
eros siempre que quiera; tendra 
facultad de recibar, libres de todo 
derecho 6 impueslo, y de distribuir 
todos Ios auxilios que pueden envi- 
arles sus amigos, y podra libremente 
transmitir sus partes en cartas abler- 



25 



And it is declared that neither the 
pretence that war dissolves all trea- 
ties, nor any other whatever, shall 
be considered as annulling or sus- 
pending the solemn covenant con- 
{ tained in this article. On the con- 
i trary, the state of war is precisely 
I that for which it is provided; and 
during which, its stipulations are to 
I be as sacredly observed as the most 
acknowledged obligations under the 
law of nature or nations. 

Article XXIII. 

This treaty shall be ratified by the 
President of the United States of 
America, by and with the advice 
and consent of the Senate thereof; 
and by the President of the Mexican 
republic, with the previous approba- 
tion of its general Congress; and the 
ratifications shall be exchanged in 
the city of Washington, or at the 
seat of government of Mexico, in 
four months from the date of the 
signature hereof, or sooner if prac- 
ticable. 

In faith whereof, we, the respec- 
tive plenipotentiaries, have signed 
this treaty of peace, friendship, lim- 
its, and settlement; and have here- 
unto affixed our seals respectively. 
Done in quintuplicate, at the city of 
Guadalupe Hidalgo, on the second 
day of February, in the year of our 
Lord one thousand eight hundred 
and forty-eight. 

N. P. TRIST, [l. s.] 

LUIS G. CUEVAS, [l. s.] 
BERNARDO COUTO, [l. s.] 
MIGL. ATRISTAIN. [l. s.] 



tas a la autoridad por la cual esta 
empleado. 

Y se declara. que ni el pretesto de 
que la guerra destruye los tratados, 
ni otro alguno, sea el que fuere, se 
considerara que anula 6 suspende el 
pacto solemne contenido en este ar- 
ticulo. Por el contrario, el estado 
de guerra es cabalmente el que se 
ha tenido presente al ajustarlo, y 
durante el cual sus estipulaciones se 
han de observar tan santamente como 
las obligaciones mas reconocidas de 
la ley natural 6 de gentes. 

Articulo XXIII. 

Este tratado sera ratificado por el 
Presidente de la republicaMexicana, 
previa la aprobacion de su Congreso 
General; y por el Presidente de los 
Estados IJnidos de America con el 
consejo y consentimiento del Senado; 
y las ratificaciones se cangearan en 
la ciudad de Washington, 6 donde 
estuviere el gobierno Mexicano, a 
los cuatro meses de la fecha de la 
firma del mismo tratado, 6 antes si 
fuere posible. 

En fe de lo cual, nosotros los re- 
spectivos plenipotenciarios hemos 
firmado y sellado por quintuplicado 
este tratado de paz, amistad, limites 
y arreglo definitivo, en la ciudad de 
Guadalupe Hidalgo, el dia dos de 
Febrero del ano de nuestro Senor 
mil ochocientos cuarenta y ocho. 



BERNARDO COUTO, [l. s. 

MIGL. ATRISTAIN, [l. s.^ 

LUIS G. CUEVAS, [l. s.' 

N. P. TRIST. [L. s." 



26 



ARTICLES REFERRED TO IN THE FIFTEENTH ARTICLE OF THE FORE- 
GOING TREATY. 

Articles I. and V. of the unratified Convention between the United States and 
Mexico, of the 20th Jfovember, 1843. 



In Executive session, Senate of the United States, 

Junell, 1848. 
Resolved, That the injunction of secrecy be removed from the first and 
fifth articles of the unratified convention for the settlement of claims of the 
citizens and Government of the Mexican Republic against the Government 
of the United States, and of the citizens and Government of the United 
States against the Government of the Mexican Republic, concluded at the 
city of Mexico the 20th of November, 1843, as proposed to be ratified by 
the Senate of the United States, which unratified convention is referred 
to, and the first and fifth articles thereof made a part of the fifteenth article 
of the treaty of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement between the United 
States of America and the Mexican Republic, concluded at Guadalupe 
Hidalgo, on the 2d day of February, 1848. 



''Article I. 

'' All claims of citizens of the 
Mexican Republic against the Gov- 
ernment of the United States, which 
shall be presented in the manner and 
time hereinafter expressed, and all 
claims of citizens of the United States 
against the Government of the Mexi- 
can Republic, which, for whatever 
cause, were not submitted to, nor 
considered, nor finally decided by 
the commission, nor by the arbiter 
appointed by the convention of 1839, 
and which shall be presented in the 
manner and time hereinafter speci- 
fied, shall be referred to four com- 
missioners, who shall form a board, 
and shall be appointed in the follow- 
ing manner, that is to say : Two com- 
missioners shall be appointed by the 
President of the Mexican Republic, 
and the other two by the President 
of the United States, with the ap- 
probation and consent of the Senate. 
The said commissioners, thus ap- 



"Articulo I. 

"Todaslas reclamacionesde ciuda- 
danos de la republica Mexicana con- 
tra el gobierno de los Estados Unidos, 
que se presentaren del modo y en el 
tiempo que en adelante se espresa, 
y todas las reclamaciones de ciuda- 
danos de los Estados Unidos contra 
el gobierno de la republica Mexicana; 
que por cualquier motivo no se pre- 
sentaron a la junta 6 que no fueron 
examinadas 6 decididas finalmente 
por ella 6 por el arbitro establecido 
por la convencion de 1839, y que se 
presentaren del modo y en el tiempo 
que en adelante se espresara se so- 
meteran a cuatro comisionados que 
formaran junta, y seran nombrados 
del modo siguiente, a saber : Dos 
comisionados seran nombrados por 
el Presidente de la republica Mexi- 
cana, y los otros dos lo seran por el 
Presidente de los Estados Unidos, 
con consentimiento y aprobacion del 
Senado de los mismos. Los dichos 



27 



pointed, shall, in presence of each 
other, take an oath to examine and 
decide impartially the claims submit- 
ted to them, and which may lawful- 
ly be considered, according to the 
proofs which shall be presented, the 
principles of right and justice, the 
law of nations, and the treaties be- 
tween the two Republics." 



"Article V. 

*'A11 claims of citizens of the 
United States against the Govern- 
ment of the Mexican Republic which 
were considered by the commission- 
ers, and referred to the umpire ap- 
pointed under the convention of the 
11th April, 1839, and which were 
not decided by him, shall be referred 
to and decided by the umpire to be 
appointed, as provided by this con- 
vention, on the points submitted 
to the umpire under the late conven- 
tion, and his decision shall be final 
and conclusive. It is also agreed, 
that if the respective commissioners 
shall deem it expedient, they may 
submit to the said arbiter new argu- 
ments upon the said claims." 



comisionados, de ese modo nombra- 
dos, prestaran juramento en pre- 
sencia unos de otros, de examinar 
y decidir imparcialmente las recla- 
miciones que se les sometan, y que 
legalmente deban considerarse segun 
las pruebas que se les presentaren y 
segun los principios de derecho y 
justicia de la ley de las naciones y de 
los tratados entre ambas repub- 
licas." 

" Articulo V. 

" Todas las reclamaciones de ciu- 
dadanos de los Estados Unidos con- 
tra el gobierno de la republica Mexi- 
cana, que fueron examinadas por los 
comisionados y sometidas al arbitro 
nombrado con arreglo a la conven- 
cion de once de Abril de 1839, y que 
no fueron por el decididas, se some- 
teran y desidiran por el arbitro que 
debe nombrarse conforme a este con- 
vencion por lo relativo a los puntos 
que se sujetaron al arbitro estableci- 
do par la anterior convencion ; y su 
decision sera final y definitiva. A 
la vez se ha convenido que, si se 
juzga oportuno por los comisionados 
respectivos, podran someterse por 
ellos al espresado arbitro, nuevas 
esposiciones sobre dichas reclama- 
ciones." 



28 



TREATY WITH MEXICO, 

FOR THE ADJUSTMENT OF CLAIMS OF CITIZENS OF THE U. STATES. 

Concluded April 11, 1839. 



Convention for the adjustment of 
claims of citizens of the United 
States of America upon the Gov- 
ernment of the Mexican. Republic, 

Whereas a convention for the adjust- 
ment of the claims of citizens of 
the United States upon the Gov- 
ernment of the Mexican Republic 
was concluded and signed at 
Washington on the 10th day of 
September, 1838, which conven- 
tion was not ratified on the part of 
the Mexican Government, on the 
alleged ground that the consent of 
his Majesty the King of Prussia 
to provide an arbitrator to act in 
the case, provided by said conven- 
tion, could not be obtained : 

And whereas the parties to said con- 
vention are still, and equally, de- 
sirous of terminating the discus- 
sions which have taken place be- 
tween them in respect to said 
claims, arising from injuries to the 
persons and property of the citi- 
zens of the United States by Mex- 
ican authorities, in a manner 
equally advantageous to the citi- 
zens of the United States, by whom 
said injuries have been sustained, 
and more convenient to Mexico 
than that provided by said conven- 
tion: the President of the United 
States has named for this purpose, 
and furnished with full powers, 
John Forsyth, Secretary of State 
of the said United States; and the 
President of the Mexican Repub- 
lic has named his excellency Se- 



Convencion para el arreglo reclama- 
ciones de ciudadanos de los Estados 
Unidos de America contra el Gobi- 
erno de la Republica Meodcdna. 

Por cuanto en 10 de Setiembre de 
1838 fue concluida y firmada en 
Washington una convencion para 
el arreglo de reclamaciones de 
ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos 
de America contra el Gobierno de 
la Republica Mexicana, cuya con- 
vencion no fue ratificada por parte 
del Gobierno Mexicano, fundan- 
dose en que no podia obtenerse de 
Su Magestad el Rey de Prusia que 
consintiese en nombrar un arbitra- 
dor que actuase en el caso preve- 
nido en dicha convencion : 

Y por cuanto las partes interesadas 
en ella continuan igualmente dese- 
osas de terminar las discusiones 
que han tenido, con respecto a las 
espresadas reclamaciones por da- 
flos causados a las personas y pro- 
piedades de ciudadanos de los Es- 
tados Unidos per autoridades Mex- 
icanas, de una manera igualmente 
ventajosa a los ciudadanos de los 
Estados Unidos que han sufrido 
dichos daflos, y mas conveniente 
para Mexico que la estipulada en 
la mencionada convencion: hacon- 
ferido el Presidente de la Repub- 
lica Mexicana plenos poderes a es- 
te efecto, a Francisco Pizarro Mar- 
tinez, Enviado Estraordinario y 
Ministro Plenipotenciario de la 
misma Republica cerca de los Es- 
tados Unidos; y el Presidente de 



29 



nor Don Francisco Pizarro Marti- 
nez, accredited as Envoy Extraor- 
dinary and Minister Plenipotentia- 
ry of the Mexican Republic to the 
United States, and has furnished 
him with full powers for the same 
purpose : And the said plenipoten- 
tiaries have agreed upon and con- 
cluded the following articles : 

Article I. 

It is agreed that all claims of citi- 
zens of the United States upon the 
Mexican Government, statements of 
which, soliciting the interposition of 
the Government of the United States, 
have been presented to the Depart- 
ment of State or to the diplomatic 
agent of the United States at Mexi- 
co until the signature of this conven- 
tion, shall be referred to four com- 
missioners, who shall form a board, 
and be appointed in the following 
manner, namely: two commission- 
ers shall be appointed by the Presi- 
dent of the United States, by and 
with the advice and consent of the 
Senate thereof, and two commission- 
ers by the President of the Mexican 
Republic. The said commissioners, 
so appointed, shall be sworn impar- 
tially to examine and decide upon 
the said claims according to such 
evidence as shall be laid before them 
on the part of the United States and 
the Mexican Republic respectively. 

Article II. 

The said board shall have two sec- 
retaries, versed in the English and 
Spanish languages; one to be appoint- 
ed by the President of the United 
States, by and with the advice and 
consent of the Senate thereof, and 
the other by the President of the 
Mexican Republic. And the said 
secretariea shall be sworn faithfully 



estos ha nombrado y autorizado 
plenamente con el propio fin, al 
honorable Senor Juan Fors3'^th, 
Secretario de Estado de dichos 
Estados Unidos; quienes han ajus- 
tado y convenido en los articulos 
siguientes: 



Articulo I. 

Todas las reclamaciones de ciuda- 
danos de los Estados Unidos contra 
el Gobierno Mexicano, acerca de las 
cuales se haya representado solici- 
tando la interposicion del de los Es- 
tados Unidos, y hayan sido exhibidas 
al Departamento de Estado 6 al agen- 
te diplomatico de los mencionados 
Estados Unidos en Mexico hasta que 
esta convencion sea firmada, se pa- 
saran a cuatro comisionados, que for- 
maran una junta, y seran nombrados 
de la manera siguiente : a saber, dos 
de ellos lo seran por el Presidente de •> 
la Republica Mexicana, y los otros " 
dos por el de los Estados Unidos, 
con consentimiento y aprobacion del 
Senado de los mismos. Los dichos 
comisionados nombrados segun se ha 
espresado, prestaran juramento de 
ecsaminar y fallar imparcialmente 
sobre dichas reclamaciones, con ar- 
reglo a las pruebas que se les presen- 
taren por parte de la Republica Mex- 
icana y de los Estados Unidos. 

Articulo II. 

La mencionada junta tendra dos 
secretarios, versados en los idiomas 
Castellano e Ingles; uno de los cua- 
les sera nombrado por el Presidente 
de la Repubhca Mexicana, y otro 
por el de los Estados Unidos, con 
consentimiento y aprobacion del Se- 
nado de los mismos; y dichos secre- 
tarios prestaran juramento de cum- 



30 



to discharge their duty in that capa- 
city. 

Article III. 

The said board shall meet in the 
city of Washington within three 
months after the exchange of the ra- 
tifications of this convention, and 
within eighteen months from the 
time of its meeting shall terminate 
its duties. The Secretary of State 
of the United States shall, immedi- 
ately after the exchange of the rati- 
fications of this convention, give no- 
tice of the time of the meeting of the 
said board, to be published in two 
newspapers in Washington, and in 
such other papers as he may think 
proper. 

Article IV. 

All documents which now are in, 
or hereafter, during the continuance 
of the commission constituted by this 
convention, may come into the pos- 
session of the Department of State of 
the United States, in relation to the 
aforesaid claims, shall be delivered 
to the board. The Mexican Govern- 
ment shall furnish all such docu- 
ments and explanations as may be 
in their possession, for the adjust- 
ment of the said claims according to 
the principles of justice, the law of 
nations, and the stipulations of the 
treaty of amity and commerce be- 
tween the United States and Mexico 
of the 5th of April, 1831; the said 
documents to be specified when de- 
manded at the instance of the said 
commissioners. 

Article V. 

The said commissioners shall, by 
a report under their hands and seals, 
decide upon the justice of the said 
claims and the amount of compensa- 



plir fielmen te los deberes de su 
destino. 

Articulo III. 

Se reunira la mencionada comisi- 
on en la ciudad de Washington, den- 
tro del termino de tres meses, conta- 
dos desde el cange de las ratifica- 
ciones de este convenio, y a los diez 
y ocho meses, despues del dia en 
que se reunire terminar^n sus fun- 
ciones. Inmediatamente despues de 
que las ratificaciones de esta conven- 
cion hayan sido cangeadas, anuncia- 
ra. el Secretario de Estado de los Es- 
tados Unidos, en dos de los periodi- 
cos de Washington, y otros que le 
parezca conveniente, la epoca en que 
dicha comision se reunira. 

Articulo IV. 

Todo documento que en la actua- 
lidad se halle, 6 que en lo succesivo 
viniere a poder del Departamiento de 
Estado de los Estados Unidos, du- 
rante la ecistencia de la comision es- 
tablecida por este convenio, y sea 
relativo a las mencionadas reclama- 
ciones, se entregara a la comision. 
El Gobierno Mexicano subministrara 
cuantos documentos y aclaraciones 
esten a su alcance, para el ajuste de 
las espresadas reclamaciones, segun 
los principios de justicia, el derecho 
de gentes, y las estipulaciones del 
tratado de amistad y comercio entre 
Mexico y los Estados Unidos de 5 de 
Abril de 1831; y se especificara cua- 
les sean dichos documentos, al tiem- 
po de pedirlos, a instancia de los 
mencionados comisionados. 

Articulo V. 

Los dichos comisionados fallaran, 
por medio de una relacion autorizada 
con sus firm as y seUos respectivos, 
sobre la justicia de las mencionadas 



31 



tion, if any, due from the Mexican 
Government in each case. 



reclamaciones, y el importe a que 
pueda ascender la compensacion de 
que resulte deudor, en cada caso, el 
Gobierno Mexicano. 



Article VI. 



Articulo VI. 



It is agreed that if it should not 
bo convenient for the Mexican Gov- 
ernment to pay at once the amount 
so found due, it shall be at liberty, 
immediately after the decisions in 
the several cases shall have taken 
place, to issue Treasury notes, re- 
ceivable at the maritime custom- 
houses of the Republic in payment 
of any duties which may be due or 
imposed at said custom-houses upon 
goods entered for importation or ex- 
portation: said Treasury notes to bear 
interest at the rate of eight per cen- 
tum per annum from the date of the 
award on the claim in payment of 
"which said Treasury notes shall have 
been issued until that of their receipt 
at the Mexican custom-houses. But 
as the presentation and receipt of 
said Treasury notes at said custom- 
houses in large amounts might be in- 
convenient to the Mexican Govern- 
ment, it is further agreed that, in 
such case, the obligation of said Gov- 
ernment to receive them in payment 
of duties, as above stated, may be 
limited to one half the amount of said 
duties. 



Se ha convenido igualmente, que 
si al Gobierno Mexicano no lo fuere 
comodo satisfacer al contado el im- 
porte de que resultare deudor, podra 
inmediatamente despues de pronun- 
ciados los fallos en los diversos casos, 
emitir hbranzas recibideras en. las 
aduanas maritimas de la Republica en 
pagamento de cualesquiera derechos 
que en ellas se adeudaren 6 se impu- 
sieren a los efectos, tanto a su im- 
portacion, como a su esportacion- 
Dichas libranzas estaransujetasaun 
interes anual de ocho por ciento, des- 
de la fecha en que se den los decre- 
tos sobre las reclamaciones en cuya 
satisfaccion hayan sido emitidas di- 
chas libranzas, hasta la en que se 
perciban en las espresadas aduanas. 
Pero como la presentacion y recibo 
de dichas libranzas en las menciona- 
das aduanas en grandes sumas podria 
no convenir al Gobierno Mexicano, 
se ha acordado, ademas, que en tal 
caso la obligacion de recibirlas dicho 
Gobierno, en pagamento de derechos, 
segun se ha espresado arriba, pueda 
limitarse a una mitad del importe a 
que asciendan dichos derechos. 



Article VII. 

It is further agreed that in the 
event of the commissioners differing 
in relation to the aforesaid claims, 
they shall, jointly or severally, draw 
up a report stating, in detail, the 
points on which they differ, and the 
grounds upon which their respective 
opinions have been formed. And it 
is agreed that the said report or re- 
ports, with authenticated copies of 



Articulo VIL 

Se ha convenido ademas que, en 
caso de no estar conformes los comi- 
sionados con respecta a las precitadas 
reclamaciones, estiendan junta 6 se- 
paradamente, una relacion circun- 
stanciada de los puntos en que sean 
de opinion contraria, y de las razones 
sobre que fimden sus respectivos 
juicios. Y se ha acordado que dicha 
relacion 6 relaciones, acompafiadas 



32 



all documents upon which they may 
be founded, shall be referred to the 
decision of his Majesty the King of 
Prussia. But as the documents relat- 
ing to the aforesaid claims are so vol- 
uminous that it cannot be expected 
his Prussian Majesty would be will- 
ing or able personally to investigate 
them, it is agreed that he shall ap- 
point a person to act as an arbiter in 
his behalf; that the person so ap- 
pointed shall proceed to Washing- 
ton ; that his travelling expenses to 
that city, and from thence on his re- 
turn to his place of residence in Prus- 
sia, shall be defrayed, one-half by 
the United States and one-half by 
the Mexican Republic ; and that he 
shall receive as a compensation for 
his services a sum equal to one-half 
of the compensation that may be al- 
lowed by the United States to one of 
the commissioners to be appointed 
by them, added to one-half the com- 
pensation that may be allowed by 
the Mexican Government to one of 
the commissioners to be appointed 
by it. And the compensation of 
such arbiter shall be paid, one-half 
by the United States and one-half 
by the Mexican Government. 



de copias autenticas de todos los do- 
cumentos en que se apoyen, se refie- 
ran a la decision de Su Magestad el 
Rey de Prusia. Pero como los do- 
cumentos relativos a las precitadas 
reclamaciones son tan voluminosos 
que no puede esperarse que Su Ma- 
gestad Prusianaquiera 6 pueda ecsa- 
minarlos por si, se ha convenido en 
que nombre una persona que como 
arbitro le represente ; que la persona 
nombrada del modo que vaespresado 
se trasladara a Washington; que los 
gastos de su viage a esta ciudad, y 
de ella al punto de su residencia en 
Prusia, seran costeddos una mitad 
por la Replablica Mexicana y otra por 
los Estados Unidos; y que recibera, 
como honorarios por sus servicios, 
una suma igual a mitad de la que el 
Gobierno Mexicano senalase a uno 
de los comisionados que ha de nom- 
brar, con otra mitad de la que por los 
suyos seiialaren los Estados Unidos 
a uno de los comisionados que por su 
parte han de nombrarse ; cuyos ho- 
norarios seran satisfechos una mitad 
por la Republica Mexicona y la otra 
por los Estados Unidos. 



Article VIII. 



Articulo VIII. 



Immediately after the signature of 
this convention, the plenipotentiaries 
of the contracting parties (both being 
thereunto competently authorized) 
shall, by a joint note, addressed to 
the Minister for Foreign Affairs of 
his Majesty the King of Prussia, to 
be delivered by the minister of the 
United States at Berlin, invite the 
said monarch to appoint an umpire to 
act in his behalf in the manner above 
mentioned, in case this convention 
shall be ratified respectively by the 
Governments of the United States 
and Mexico. 



Inmediatamente despues que los 
plenipotenciarios de las partes con- 
tratantes hayan firmado esta conven- 
cion, dirigiron de mancomun, (para 
lo cual estan ambos competentemente 
autorizados,) por conducto del seftor 
enviado de los Estados Unidos a 
Berlin, a su escelencia el Ministro de 
Relaciones Estrangeras de Su Ma- 
gestad el Rey de Prusia, una nota 
invitando a dicho monarca para nom- 
brar una persona que como arbitro lo 
represente de la manera arriba men- 
cionada, en caso de que esta conven- 
cion sea ratificada respectivamente 



33 



por los Gobiernos de Mexico y los 
Estados Unidos. 



Article IX. 

It IS agreed that, in the event of 
his Prussian Majesty's declining to 
appoint an umpire to act in his be- 
half, as aforesaid, the contracting 
parties, on being informed thereof, 
shall, without delay, invite her Bri- 
tannic Majesty, and in case of her 
declining his Majesty the King of 
the Netherlands, to appoint an um- 
pire to act in their behalf, respective- 
ly, as above provided. 

Article X. 

And the contracting parties further 
engage to consider the decision of 
such umpire to be final and conclu- 
sive on all the matters so referred. 



Article XL 

For any sums of money which the 
umpire shall find due to citizens of 
the United States by the Mexican 
Government, Treasury notes shall 
be issued in the manner afore men- 
tioned. 



Articulo IX. 

Se ha convenido ademas que, si 
Su Magestad Prusiana rehusare ha- 
cer el nombramiento de que habla 
el articulo anterior, procederan al 
momento que lo sepan las partes con- 
tratantes a invitar a Su Magestad 
Britanica, y si tambien ella se rehu- 
sare, a Su Magestad el Rey de Ho- 
landa, a fin que nombre un arbitra- 
dor que le represente segun queda 
pactado. 

Articulo X. 

Las partes contratantes se obligan 
ademas a considerar como final y de- 
cisivo el fallo del mencionado arbi- 
trador, en todas las materias que se 
hay an sujetado a su ecsamen. 

Articulo XL 

Se emitiran libranzas, en los ter- 
minos arriba espresados, por el im- 
porte del dinero que el arbitrador 
encuentre que sea deudor a ciuda- 
danos de los Estados el Gobierno 
Mexicano. 



Article XII. 

And the United States agree for- 
ever to exonerate the Mexican Gov- 
ernment from any further accounta- 
bility for claims which shall either 
be rejected by the board or the ar- 
biter aforesaid, or which, being al- 
lowed by either, shall be provided 
for by the said Government in the 
manner before mentioned. 

Article XIII. 

And it is agreed that each Govern- 
ment shall provide compensation for 
the commissioners and secretary to 



Articulo XIL 

Y los Estados Unidos convienen en 
descargar para siempre el Gobierno 
Mexicano de toda responsabilidad 
ulterior, por reclamaciones que sean 
rechazadas, bien por la junta 6 que 
admitidas por cualquiera de ellos, 
haya dicho Gobierno provisto a su 
compensacion en los terminos antes 
espresados. 

Articulo XIIL 

Se ha convenido en que cada Go- 
bierno senale a los comisionados y 
secretarios que ha de nombrar los 



34 



be appointed by it ; and that the 
contingent expenses of the board 
shall be defrayed, one moiety by the 
United States and one moiety by the 
Mexican Republic. 

Article XIV. 

This convention shall be ratified, 
and the ratifications shall be ex- 
changed at Washington within twelve 
months from the signature hereof, or 
sooner if possible. 

In faith whereof, we, the plenipo- 
tentiaries of the United States of 
America and of the Mexican Re- 
public, have signed and sealed 
these presents. 
Done in the city of Washington, on 
the eleventh day of April, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand 
eight hundred and thirty -nine, in 
the sixty^third year of the inde^- 
pendence of the United States of 
America and the nineteenth of 
that of the Mexican Republic. 
[l. s.l JOHN FORSYTH. 
[l. s.] FRAN. PIZARRO MARTINEZ. 



honorarios respectivos; y que los 
gastos contingentes de la junta sean 
costeados, una mitad por la Repub- 
lica Mexicana, y otra por los Esta- 
dos Unidos. 

Articulo XIV. 

La presente convencion sera rati- 
ficada, y las ratificaciones seran can- 
geadas en Washington dentro de 
doce meses de este dia, 6 antes si 
fuere posible. 

En fe de lo cual nosotros, los pleni- 
potenciarios de la Republica Mexi'^ 
cana y de los Estados Unidos de 
America, hemos firmado y sellado 
las presentes. 
Fecho en la ciudad de Washington, 
a las once dias de Abril del alio 
del Seflor mil ochocientos treinta 
y nueve, decimo nono de la inde- 
pendencia de la Republica Mexi^ 
cana, y el sexagesimo tercio de la 
de los Estados Unidos de America. 



[L.S.] 

[us.] 



FRAN. PIZARRO MARTINEZ. 
JOHN FORSYTH. 



35 



AN ACT 

To carry into pffect certain stipulations of the Treaty between the United States of Ame- 
rica and the Republic of Mexico, of the second day of February, one thousand eight 
hundred and forty -eight. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United 
States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint 
three persons who shall constitute a board of commissioners, to meet at the 
city of Washington, at some early day to be designated by the President, 
whose duty it shall be to receive and examine all claims of citizens of the 
United States upon the Republic of Mexico, which are provided for by the 
treaty between said Governments of the United States and Mexico, con- 
cluded on the second day of February, eighteen hundred and forty-eight, and 
which may be presented to the said board of commissioners, and to decide 
thereon according to the provisions of the said treaty, and of the first and 
ffth articles of the unratified convention concluded at the city of Mexico, 
on the twentieth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and forty- 
three. 

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the said board of commissioners 
shall have a secretary, versed in the English and Spanish languages, to be 
appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Senate, and the said board is hereby authorized to appoint a clerk, and to 
make all needful rules and regulations, not contrary to the laws of the 
United States or the provisions of said treaties, for carrying their said com- 
mission into full effect. 

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That all records, documents, and pa- 
pers, which now are or hereafter, until the close of said commission, may 
come into the possession of the Department of State, having relation to 
said claims, shall be delivered to the said board ; and when the said com- 
mission shall be concluded, the journal of its proceedings, together with 
all the records, documents, and papers which shall have come into its pos- 
session relating to the business of said board, shall be deposited in the 
oifice of the Secretary of State ; and the period of one year from and after 
the organization of said board is hereby designated, within which said com- 
missioners may, at the instance of any claimant or claimants, apply, 
through the Secretary of State of the United States, to the Mexican minis- 
ter of foreign affairs, for all such books, records, or documents, in the pos- 
session or power of the Government of the Mexican Republic, as shall he 
deemed necessary to the just decision of any claim or claims submitted to 
said board, in conformity with the provisions of said treaty. 

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of State is requir- 
ed, as soon as the President shall have designated the day for the meeting 
of the said board, to give public notice thereof, and to cause said notice tc 
be published in such newspapers as are authorized to publish the lawf? of 
the United States, 
5 



36 

Sec. 5. ^ind be it further enacted, That the compensation of the re- 
spective officers for whose appointment provision is made by this act, shall 
be as follows, namely : To each of said commissioners at the rate of three 
thousand dollars per annum ; to the secretary of the board at the rate of 
two thousand dollars per annum ; and to the clerk at the rate of fifteen 
hundred dollars per annum. And the President of the United States shall 
be, and he is hereby, authorized to make provision for the contingent ex- 
penses of said commission as to him shall appear reasonable and proper. 
And the said salaries and expenses shall be paid out of any moneys in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated. 

Sec, 6. And be it further enacted, That the said commissioners shall 
report to the Secretary of State a list of all the several aAvards made by 
them ; a certified copy thereof shall be by him transmitted to the Secre- 
tary of the Treasury, who shall thereupon distribute, in ratable proportions 
among the persons in'Wh'ose favor the awards shall have been made, the" 
amount stipulated in the fifteenth article of the said treaty, (being three 
and one-fourth millions of dollars,) according to the proportions which 
their respective awards shall bear to the said three and one-fourth millions 
of dollars, first deducting such sums of money as may be due the United 
States from said persons in whose favor said awards shall be made ; and 
the said Secretary shall thereupon cause certificates of stock of the United 
States to be issued to the said parties, respectively, or their legal repre- 
sentatives, for the amount to which they may be entitled, which stock 
shall bear an interest of six per cent, per annum until paid, and redeem- 
able at any time at the pleasure of the United States, or pay the same in 
money, at the option of the United States. 

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the said board shall terminate 
its business within two years from the day of its organization. 

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That in all cases arising under this 
act where any person or persons, other than those in whose favor an award 
has been or may be made, shall claim the amount so awarded, or any part 
thereof, and shall within thirty days from the passage of this act, or from 
the date of the said award, notify the Secretary of the Treasury of his, 
her, or their intention to contest the payment of the same as awarded, and 
shall file with the district attorney of the United States a bond, with good 
and sulficient security, to be approved by him, for the payment of the costs 
and damages arising therefrom, the amount so awarded, and the payment 
of which is contested as aforesaid, shall be and remain in the Treasury of 
the United States, subject to the decision of the courts of the United States 
thereon ; and thereupon the said part}' so claiming the sum so awarded, or 
any part thereof, shall be at liberty to file his bill for relief and injunction 
in the circuit court of the District of Columbia, upon the principles which 
govern courts of equity ; and any injunction thereupon granted by the 
court shall be respected by the Treasury Department ; and the said case in 
equity shall thereupon be conducted and governed in all respects as in 
other cases in equity. 

Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That this act shall not go into effect 
until from and after the tenth day of March, eighteen hundred and forty- 
nine. 

Approved March 3, 1849. 



37 

RULES AND ORDERS 

Of the Commissioners appointed under the act of 3d March, 1849, entitled 
^'^n act to carry into effect certain stipulations of the treaty between the 
United States and the Republic of Mexico, of the 2d of February, 1848." 

Ordered, That all persons having claims upon the Republic of Mexico, 
which are provided for by the treaty between the United States and the 
said RepubUc, concluded on the second day of February, 1848, except the 
claims named in the fifth article of the unratified convention between the 
two Governments of November 20, 1843, to wit: "All claims of citizens 
of the United States against the Government of the Mexican Republic, 
which were considered by the Commissioners and referred to the umpire 
appointed under the convention of 11th April, 1839, and which were not 
decided by him," — do file memorials of the same with the Secretary of thia 
Board. 

Every memorial so filed must be addressed to the Commissioners, and 
must set forth minutely and particularly the facts and circumstances 
whence the right to prfefer such claim is derived to the claimant, and it 
must be verified by his oath or affirmation. 

And, in order that the claimants may be apprized of what is considered 
necessary to be averred in every such memorial before the same will be 
received and acted on, it is further — 

Ordered, That in every such memorial it shall be set forth — 

1. For and in behalf of whom the claim is preferred. 

2. Whether the claimant is now a citizen of the United States, and if so, 
whether he is a native or naturalized citizen, and where is now his domicil; 
and if he claims in his own right, then whether he was a citizen when the 
claim had its origin, and where was then his domicil; and if he claims in 
the right of another, then whether such other was a citizen when the claim 
had its origin, and where was then and where is now his domicil; and if, 
in either case, the domicil of the claimant at the time the claim had its 
origin was in any foreign country, then whether such claimant was then a 
subject of the Government of such country, or had taken any oath of alle- 
giance thereto. 

3. Whether the entire amount of the claim does now, and did at the 
time when it had its origin, belong solely and absolutely to the claimant; 
and if any other person is or has been interested therein, or in any part 
thereof, then who is such other person, and what is or was the nature and 
extent of his interest; and how, when, and by what means, and for what 
considerations, the transfer of rights or interests, if any such was made, 
took place between the parties. 

4. Whether the claimant, or any other who may at any time have been 
entitled to the amount claimed, or any part thereof, hath ever received 
any, and if any, what sum of money, or other equivalent or indemnifica- 
tion, for the whole or any part of the loss or injury upon which the claim 
is founded, and if so, when and from whom the same was received. 

5. Whether the claim was presented to the Commissioners appointed by 
the Governments of the United States and of Mexico, under the conven- 
tion of 11th of April, 1839; and if so, how the same was disposed of by 



38 

said Commissioners; and if said claim had its origin prior to said 1 1th of 
April, 1839, and was not so presented, then what were the reasons or 
causes why the same was not so presented. 

And that time may be allowed to the claimants to prepare and file the 
memorials above mentioned — 

Resolved, That this Board will be in session on the first Monday of No- 
vember next, and will then proceed to decide whether the memorials which 
shall then have been filed with the Secretary are in conformity to the fore- 
going orders, and proper to be received for examination. 

And in respect to the claims excepted in the first of the foregoing rules 
and orders, it is — 

Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Board, the claims of American 
citizens referred to in the fifth article of the unratified convention between 
the Governments of the United States and Mexico, of 20th November, 
1843, which article is made a part of the fifteenth article of the treaty of 2d 
February, 1848, to wit, the claims "which were considered by the Com- 
missioners and referred to the umpire under the convention of 11th April, 
1839, and which were not decided by him," may now be presented to this 
Board for final decision, upon the memorials, proofs, and documents sub- 
mitted to said joint Commissioners, and by said Commissioners to the 
umpire, and upon such new arguments as may be filed with the Secretary 
in writing, addressed to the Commissioners. 

And that the claimants may be apprized of what is necessary in order to 
bring the same before this Board, for its consideration and decision, it is — 

Ordered, That all persons having claims of this description do file a me- 
morial with the Secretary of this Board, addressed to the Commissioners, 
briefly describing the claim, and the right of the claimant to receive in- 
demnity for the injury complained of. In all cases where the original me- 
morial addressed to the Commissioners, under the convention of 1839, does 
not aver the claimant, and any other person under whom the claim is de- 
rived, to be, and at the time when the claim had its origin to have been, a 
citizen of the United States, then the said memorial shall conform to the 
requirements of the second of the articles of the foregoing rules relating to 
that subject, and shall be verified by oath or affirmation. 

Ordered, That, when the Board shall close its present session, it will 
adjourn to meet in this city on the first Monday of June next, and will 
then proceed to consider the claims referred to in the fifth article of said 
unratified convention of 2d November, 1843, which may have been pre- 
sented in conformity to the foregoing order, and all such cases are hereby 
get down for hearing at that time; and if any claimant desire a longer time 
in which to file a memorial or present arguments, he must file a written 
motion to that effect, setting forth the reasons for the same on or before 
said day. 

Ordered, Th^t all motions and arguments addressed to the Board be 
made in writing and filed with the Secretary, who shall note thereon the 
time when they are received; but brief verbal explanations may be made 
by the claimants or their agents immediately after the opening of each 
day's session. 

Ordered, That the following rules and orders, relating to testimony and 
proofs to be advanced in support of claims which may be presented for ad- 
judication, be and the same are hereby entablished: 



39 

1. All testimony must be in writing, and upon oath or affirmation, duly 
administered according to the laws of the place where the same is taken, 
by a magistrate competent by such laws to take depositions, having no in- 
terest in the claim to which the testimony relates, and not being the agent 
or attorney of any person having such interest, and it must be certified by 
him that such is the case. The credibility of the affiant or deponent, if 
known to such magistrate, or other person authorized to take such testi 
mony, must be certified by him, and if not known, must be certified on 
the same paper upon oath by some other person known to such magistrate 
having no interest in such claim, and not being the agent or attorney of 
any person having such interest, whose credibility must be certified by 
such magistrate. The deposition must be reduced to writing by the person 
taking the same, or by some person in his presence having no interest, and 
not being the agent or attorney of any person having an interest in the 
claim, and must be carefully read to the deponent by the magistrate before 
being signed by him, and this must be certified. 

2. Depositions taken in any city, port, or place without the limits of the 
United States, may be taken before any consul or other public civil officer 
of the United States resident in such cit}'', port, or place, having no in- 
terest, and not being agent or attorney of any person having an interest in 
the claim to which the testimony so taken relates. In all other cases, 
whether in the United States or in any foreign place, the right of the per- 
son taking the same to administer oaths by the laws of the place must be 
proved. 

3. Every affiant or deponent must be required to state in his deposition 
his age, place of birth, residence, and occupation, and where was his resi- 
dence and what was his occupation at the time the events took place in 
regard to which he deposes; and must also state if he have any, and if any 
what, interest in the claim to support which his testimony is taken; and if 
he have any contingent interest in the same, to what extent, and upon the 
happening of what event he will be entitled to receive any part of the sum 
which may be awarded by the Commissioners. He must also be required 
to state whether he be the agent or attorney of the claimant, or of any 
person having an interest in the claim. 

4. Original papers exhibited in proof must be verified as originals by 
the oath of a witness, whose credibility must be certified as required in the 
first of these rules; but when the fact is within the exclusive knowledge of 
the claimant, it may be verified by his own oath or affirmation. Papers in 
the handwriting of any person who has deceased, or whose residence is 
unknown to the claimant, may be verified by proof of such handwriting, 
and of the death of the party, or his removal to places unknown. 

5. All testimony taken in any foreign language, and all papers and docu- 
ments in any foreign language which may be exhibited in proof, must be 
accompanied by a translation of the same into the English language. 

6. When the claim arises from the seizure or loss of any ship or vessel, 
or the cargo of any ship or vessel, a certified copy of the enrolment or 
registry of such ship or vessel must be produced, together with the original 
clearance, manifests, and all other papers and documents required by the 
laws of the United States, which she possessed on her last voyage from 
the United States when the same are in the possession of the claimant, or 



■HIMHMHBHHrtiita 



40 

can be obtained by him; and when not, certified copies of the same must 
be produced, together with his oath or affirmation that the origmals are not 
in his possession, and cannot be obtained by him. 

7. In all cases where property of any description for the seizure or loss 
of which a claim has been presented, was at the time of such seizure or 
loss insured, the original poUcy of insurance, or a certified copy thereof, 
must be produced. 

8. If the claimant be a naturalized citizen of the United States, a copy 
of the record of his naturalization, duly certified, must be produced. 

Office of said Commission, 

Washington, ^pril 23, 1849. 

WM. CAREY JONES, Secretary, 



W46 



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